The Argosy — page 132: what you’re looking at

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

II5 “TOHN SMITH, JUNIOR.” By E. J. CLAYDEN. I, ‘T HOPE, Edith, if I send you to school in Paris for a couple of years, you won’t come back with your head stuffed as full of nonsense as your sister’s is. Let no more be said about it; if we have the party at all, I intend the Smiths to be invited. ‘Tell Frances her fine friends may stop away if she thinks the company will be too mixed for their notions. Now, my dears, don’t hinder me any longer, I ought to have been off an hour ago.” So saying, Dr. Lisle left the room ; a moment later the front door banged and the brougham drove away. “Then I suppose I had better write the card, mamma?” asked Edith, a young girl who was seated at a writing-table covered with cards and envelopes which she was filling up and addressing. “Yes, my dear,” replied a little delicate-looking middle-aged lady who sat near her. ‘J am sorry Francie should be vexed, but papa is quite right ; the Smiths have been so exceedingly kind and polite, we really ought to show them what civility we can. I am sure the dinner they gave us the other night was splendid. Of course they won’t expect us to return their hospitality in anything like the same lavish manner ; they know we are not millionaires.” ‘Francie says she wishes Mr. Smith had not taken it into his head to fall down and break his leg at his shop instead of in his own home, where his own doctor could have attended him.” ‘“T am sorry Frances is so foolish. It was very lucky that papa happened to be the nearest medical man who could be found, for it led to his becoming the regular doctor to their establishment ; an appointment not at all to be despised. They both took a great fancy to him—papa is always a favourite wherever he goes.” ‘“T believe Mrs. Smith thinks that but for papa her husband would never have walked again!” said Edith, laughing. ‘‘ All the more fortunate for us; they are most desirable patients.” ‘Of whom are you talking?” asked a tall, striking-looking girl, who had entered the room quietly and overheard the last few words. “Of the Smiths,” replied her sister; ‘they are to come, Francie. - So now the question is, do you prefer to leave out your grand friends, Mr. and Miss Fitzhardy ? ” The other flushed slightly, and drew herself up with great dignity. “I hardly see how we can do that; unfortunately I mentioned the party to Alicia just now, though what she will think of being asked to meet ‘Smith and Trewson,’ I am afraid to contemplate.” GomiilGaooks am