The Opposite House: A Novel — page 229: what you’re looking at

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

224 Lhe Opposite House. decorum demanded it. At first I was to go to the station for you, but, to be frank, cousin, you arrived at such an inconvenient hour that I could not pos- sibly take out my bays again; they have done enough for to-day.” He took a paper and some tobacco from an elegant case, twisted another cigarette, then settled himself comfortably to smoke. Marie assured him that she had not expected such a sacrifice, and Hasso thought this quite a matter of course, then glanced at the clock and muttered an oath under his breath. “Aren't you hungry, Marie? Nobody knows what they are allabout to-day. It’s half-past eight o’clock. But look here. I’m used to their tricks, and provide accordingly. ‘Taste these conserved fruits. They are nice, I assure you. My dog and I eat a box of them every day. Minkahas followed my taste very quickly. By the way, have you heard of my dogs? I’m passionately fond of training them. Minka leaps superbly. I’ll show you the creatures some time, only please don’t ask me this evening. Iknow by the young ladies here that they can never wait for me tobegin. I’m toomuch used up to-day, pon honor.” He slipped a bit of peach into his mouth, and again offered the box to the young lady. “I get these things direct from Sarotti,” he added. ‘He knows my exacting taste CoMmicboOoks.c© 5}