The Argosy — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

The Village Blacksmith. 13 the centre of her universe, the centre round which all her ideas revolved. . Suddenly a shadow darkened the open door, and, looking up from her delicate task of goffering the frill of a shirt-front, Mrs. Canter saw a gentleman, whom she at once guessed to be Captain Raleigh, standing on the threshold. ‘Mrs. Canter, I believe?” he said, raising his hat. “Ves, sir; I don’t want to ask who you are; it is Miss Vera’s Captain, I am sure. Come in and welcome.” ‘Thank you ; but isn’t it rather warm?” said Captain Raleigh, en- tering the kitchen, with a glance at the large clear fire Norah kept for the sake of her irons. ‘“T suppose it is; but if you don’t mind coming into the laundry, it is cool enough there; there is no linen about either. I'll bring in an easy-chair and get you some tea. You look tired, sir,” said Mrs. Canter, leading the way to the laundry, where Captain Raleigh was soon made at home. What a delightfully cool place! It is a perfect paradise after the heat I have endured travelling to-day ; but I wanted to make your acquaintance before I leave England, Mrs. Canter.” Mrs. Canter was too busy preparing tea for her guest to enter into conversation until he was sipping his tea out of her best china service, and renewing his inner man with some delicious home-made bread and country butter ; and then he explained the object of his visit. “The fact is, Mrs. Canter, I want to find a home for my dog whilst I am away. He is a mastiff, and my mother is rather afraid of him, though he is really as gentle as a lamb. I thought perhaps you might be good enough to undertake the care of him; we shall not quarrel about terms. I should like you to write to me once a fort- night and tell me how he is. And if you had any other news; if you happened to know how Miss Vera was; you—you might just mention it. But I dont wish her to know I have been to see you. Do you see ?” “T understand, sir. You wish me to let you know every fortnight how Miss Vera is; and if I were to forget to mention the dog every time, I take it you'll forgive me?” said Mrs. Canter. ‘‘T take it you are a clever woman, Mrs, Canter,” replied Captain. Raleigh, smiling. “The Lord forbid, sir, for I am nota fool; and in my opinion there is no fool like a clever woman. I wash for one, sir. They tell me she has passed every examination a woman can pass, and the nonsense that good lady does talk about washing would surprise you, sir. My Mary Jane knows more about it than she does, with all her learning. What, as I say, is the use of book-learning if you can’t even wash a shirt decently? Books won’t teach you that. Folks must be clean ; they ar’n’t forced to be clever. People are alla deal too clever COMiCcoao® (CO)