Argosy (UK), January 1955 — page 69: what you’re looking at

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

MAIDENHAIR FERN 67 The regard switched. Then: “Eight rooms,” agreed la Tante amiably. ‘“ The dear boy is so much in love—and who can wonder at it?—for they would have made the handsomest pair in the village.” “In Dijon, Madame, in a house in the next street but one to our own?” La Maman must have noticed an A Vendre board. “In Dijon,” acquiesced Tante Mignonnette. “ And by way of jewellery?” ‘The little Sophie would look very well in corals.” “Very well,” agreed the proud Papa, a little too quickly. ‘““She would look even better in turquoises,” said la Maman, only just in time. ‘* As to that,” la ‘Tante said, smoothly, “ I had always intended to give la Petite my turquoise parure on her wedding-day.” La -'Tante gazed straight at the ceiling as though directly daring it to challenge this statement. La Maman relaxed. “And now,” said Monsieur Gustave’s Tante, “‘ what sum do you propose to allow the young couple, annually, towards the upkeep of this ambitious establishment? ” By almost imperceptible démarches the battle had gone to the strong. Both sides were victors. ‘The matchmaking was on again. The following morning Monsieur Gustave remained in bed. It was the doctor’s orders. Indeed, he had given Monsieur Gus- tave quite a lecture on not overdoing it. “The human mechanism,” he explained, “ is like that of a delicate plant . . . or shall I say a fern with many fronds? ” “No,” said Monsieur Gustave. Soon after lunch Monsieur Michel dropped in to see how the invalid was doing. “‘ My wife would have come with me, but she is quite prostrate—it was the shock,” he explained. Monsieur Gustave shook a sympathetic head—it hurt him. ‘‘ But she has charged me to bring you this little present, with her best wishes for your rapid recovery.” And Monsieur Michel tore off the wrappings to reveal a Maidenhair Fern. , A little later Monsieur Gustave had another caller. His Tante Mignonnette had come post-haste from the country to see for herself that her favourite nephew was being looked after properly. “You must have had it on you all the week-end,” she opined. “Oh no! Indeed, that was the point! ’’ Monsieur Gustaye endeavoured to explain. “4 oe 3 - 2 P: e . i. a ere a’ thn ™ * st ee te ol, bat 4 - comiclooolkks.com