A QUARREL--BOBBY IS WILLING--EXIT PHILIP.
Philip came back by an evening train, and when he had had something to
eat he came up to the nursery to go on with the scene. We had got
everything ready for him, and he worked for about half-an-hour. But he
was so sleepy, with cold air and exercise, that he did not paint well,
and then he got impatient, and threw it up--"till the morning."
In the morning he set to work, talking all the time about wild duck
and teal, and the price of guns; but by the time he had put last
night's blunders straight, the front door bell rang, and Mary
announced "Mr. Clinton."
Philip was closeted in his room with his new friend till twelve
o'clock. Then they went out into the yard, and finally Mr. Clinton
stayed to luncheon. But I held my peace, and made Alice hold hers. Mr.
Clinton went away in the afternoon, but Philip got the plate-powder
and wash-leather, and occupied himself in polishing the silver
fittings of his dressing-case.
"I think you might do that another time, Philip," said I; "you've not
been half-an-hour at the properties to-day, and you could clean your
bottles and things quite as well after the theatricals."
"As it happens I just couldn't," said Philip; "I've made a bargain,
and bargains won't wait.
Pages:
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182