The Dugdale Millions — page 168: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

18 THE DUGDALE MILLIONS. “TI obey your commands, Miss Gladwin, I am aj. ways willing to be your swain, but for how long shall i ber” ‘Poh !”’ exclaimed the downright Wallis. “ Com- pliments! They are always insincere. I don’t want them. But I do want answers to some of my questions. You told uncle this morning, for I heard you, that I was an amusing baggage; and ever since | have been dying to know whether I was a trunk or a valise. Which is it?” Bessie and Dick, who were greatly embarrassed when they realized how cleverly Wallis had maneuv- ered to throw them together, were relieved by their laughter and Merrimount’s astonishment at her ques. tion. “A trunk or a valise?”’ he asked. ‘ Upon my soul I don’t know. If I were to regard you asa trunk it would be because of the undiscovered possibilities that might lurk within its recesses when searched; if a valise, because it usually contains so many things indispensable to the comfort of the wayfarer.” “Oh, dear!” cried Wallis. ‘Come along, Bessie and Mr, Mason. I’ve fished for and obtained a thoroughly unique compliment.” “But,” inquired Merrimount innocently, “what has a trunk or a valise to do with my calling youa bag- gage?” ‘ Aren’t trunks and valises baggage?”’ We call them luggage at home.” * To be sure,” laughed Wallis. “So I threw in my hook and brought up a compliment rather than a joke.” She hurried Merrimount away so that Dick and Bessie could follow leisurely. This they did, not without a good deal of constraint and awkwardness. They walked side by side for some distance in silence. It was Dick who spoke first. ‘When I parted from you the last time we talked together alone, I said I would ask you again for an Comicbocl< C@ 3