The Argosy — page 281: what you’re looking at

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

Edina, 265 of the disputants were pitched in a loud key, and partially reached her ears, ‘What a place this is!” ejaculated Daisy. ‘“ What people! Yes, I will go to Charlotte. It is something to get away from them fora few hours, and into civilized life again.” At one o’clock, the hand-bell in the passage below was rung: the signal for dinner. Daisy went down, Frank had only just come in, and was taking off his overcoat. “I have hardly a minute, Daisy,” he said. I have not seen all my patients yet.” “Been hindering his time with Rosaline,” thought Daisy. And she ungraciously took her place at table. Frank, regardless of ceremony, had already cut into the boiled leg of mutton. “You have generally finished before one o'clock,” she coldly remarked, as he handed her plate to her. For Eve, good servant though she was, had no idea of staying in the room during meals. “Yes, generally. But a good many people are ill: and I was hindered this morning by attending to an accident. A little boy was run over in the street.” “Ts he much hurt ?” . “Not very much. I shall get him all right again.” The dinner proceeded in silence. Frank was eating too fast to have leisure for anything else, Daisy’s angry spirit did not permit her to talk, As she laid down her knife and fork, Frank cut her another slice— pressed her to take it when she refused. “I have said no once. This is my luncheon; not my dinner.” Frank Raynor had become accustomed to hear his wife speak to him in cold, resentful tones: but to-day they sounded especially cold. He had long ago put it down in his own mind to dissatisfaction at their blighted prospects: blighted, at least, in comparison to those they had so sanguinely entertained when wandering together side by side at Trennach and picturing the future. It only made him the more patient, the more tender with her. ““Mrs. Townley has written to ask me to go to her. She is back in Westbourne Terrace. She bids me say she shall be happy to see you ¢o dinner at seven. But I suppose you will not go.” “Yes, I will go,” said Frank, rapidly revolving ways and means in his mind, as regarded the exigencies of his patients. “I think I can get away for an hour or two, Daisy. Is it dress?” “Just as you please,” was the frosty answer. “Mrs. Townley says nothing about dress; she would be hardly likely to say it; but she is accustomed to proper ways.” “ And how shall you go, my dear?” resumed Frank, passing ovez the implication with his usual sweetness of temper. “You had better have a cab.” 08 comicbooks.com