ByJEROMEK。JEROME
　　"Idomeanit，"declaredMrs。Korner，"Ilikeamantobeaman。"
　　"ButyouwouldnotlikeChristopher——ImeanMr。Korner——tobethatsortofman，"suggestedherbosomfriend。
　　"Idon’tmeanthatIshouldlikeitifhediditoften。ButIshouldliketofeelthathewasabletobethatsortofman。——Haveyoutoldyourmasterthatbreakfastisready？"demandedMrs。Kornerofthedomesticstaff，enteringatthemomentwiththreeboiledeggsandateapot。
　　"Yus，I’vetold’im，"repliedthestaffindignantly。
　　ThedomesticstaffatAcaciaVilla，RavenscourtPark，livedinastateofindignation。Itcouldbeheardofmorningsandeveningssayingitsprayersindignantly。
　　"Whatdidhesay？"
　　"Said’e’11bedownthemoment’e’sdressed。"
　　"Nobodywantshimtocomebefore，"commentedMrs。Korner。"AnsweredmethathewasputtingonhiscollarwhenIcalleduptohimfiveminutesago。"
　　"Answeryerthesamethingnow，ifyercalledupto’imagen，I
　　’spect，"wastheopinionofthestaff。"Wason’is’andsandkneeswhenIlookedin，scoopingroundunderthebedfor’iscollarstud。"
　　Mrs。Kornerpausedwiththeteapotinherhand。"Washetalking？"
　　"Talkin’？Nobodytheretotalkto；I慳dn’tgotnotimetostopandchatter。"
　　"Imeantohimself，"explainedMrs。Korner。"He——hewasn’tswearing？"
　　Therewasanoteofeagerness，almostofhope，inMrs。Korner’svoice。
　　"Swearin’！’E！Why，’edon’tknowany。"
　　"Thankyou，"saidMrs。Korner。"Thatwilldo，Harriet；youmaygo。"
　　MrsKornerputdowntheteapotwithabang。"Theverygirl，"saidMrs。Kornerbitterly，"theverygirldespiseshim。"
　　"Perhaps，"suggestedMissGreene，"hehadbeenswearingandhadfinished。"
　　ButMrs。Kornerwasnottobecomforted。"Finished！Anyothermanwouldhavebeenswearingallthetime。"
　　"Perhaps，"suggestedthekindlybosomfriend，evertheonetopleadthecauseofthetransgressor，"perhapshewasswearing，andshedidnothearhim。Yousee，ifhehadhisheadwellunderneaththebed——"
　　Thedooropened。
　　"SorryIamlate，"saidMr。Korner，burstingcheerfullyintotheroom。
　　ItwasapointwithMr。Korneralwaystobecheerfulinthemorning。
　　"Greetthedaywithasmileanditwillleaveyouwithablessing，"
　　wasthemottoMrs。Korner，thisdayamarriedwomanofsixmonthsandthreeweeksstandinghadheardherhusbandmurmurbeforegettingoutofbedonpreciselytwohundredandtwooccasions。TheMottoenteredlargelyintotheschemeofMr。Korner’slife。Writteninfinecopperplateuponcardsallofthesamesize，achoiceselectioncounselledhimeachmorningfromtherimofhisshaving—glass。
　　"Didyoufindit？"askedMrs。Korner。
　　"Itismostextraordinary，"repliedMr。Korner，asheseatedhimselfatthebreakfast—table。"Isawitgounderthebedwithmyowneyes。
　　Perhaps——"
　　"Don’taskmetolookforit，"interruptedMrs。Korner。"Crawlingaboutontheirhandsandknees，knockingtheirheadsagainstironbedsteads，wouldbeenoughtomakesomepeopleswear。"Theemphasiswasonthe"some。"
　　"Itisnotbadtrainingforthecharacter，"hintedMr。Korner，"occasionallytoforceoneselftoperformpatientlytaskscalculated——"
　　"Ifyougettiedupinoneofthoselongsentencesofyours，youwillnevergetoutintimetoeatyourbreakfast，"wasthefearofMrs。
　　Korner。
　　"Ishouldbesorryforanythingtohappentoit，"remarkedMr。Korner，"itsintrinsicvaluemayperhaps——"
　　"Iwilllookforitafterbreakfast，"volunteeredtheamiableMissGreene。"Iamgoodatfindingthings。"
　　"Icanwellbelieveit，"thegallantMr。Kornerassuredher，aswiththehandleofhisspoonhepeeledhisegg。"Fromsuchbrighteyesasyours，few——"
　　"You’veonlygottenminutes，"hiswiferemindedhim。"Dogetonwithyourbreakfast。"
　　"Ishouldlike，"saidMr。Korner，"tofinishaspeechoccasionally。"
　　"Youneverwould，"assertedMrs。Korner。
　　"Ishouldliketotry，"sighedMr。Korner，"oneofthesedays——"
　　"Howdidyousleep，dear？Iforgottoaskyou，"questionedMrs。
　　Kornerofthebosomfriend。
　　"Iamalwaysrestlessinastrangebedthefirstnight，"explainedMissGreene。"Idaresay，too，Iwasalittleexcited。"
　　"Icouldhavewished，"saidMr。Korner，"ithadbeenabetterexampleofthedelightfulartofthedramatist。Whenonegoesbutseldomtothetheatre——"
　　"Onewantstoenjoyoneself"interruptedMrs。Korner。
　　"Ireallydonotthink，"saidthebosomfriend，"thatIhaveeverlaughedsomuchinallmylife。"
　　"Itwasamusing。Ilaughedmyself，"admittedMr。Korner。"AtthesametimeIcannothelpthinkingthattotreatdrunkennessasatheme——"
　　"Hewasn’tdrunk，"arguedMrs。Korner，"hewasjustjovial。"
　　"Mydear！"Mr。KornerCorrectedher，"hesimplycouldn’tstand。"
　　"Hewasmuchmoreamusingthansomepeoplewhocan，"retortedMrs。
　　Korner。
　　"Itispossible，mydearAimee，"herhusbandpointedouttoher，"foramantobeamusingwithoutbeingdrunk；alsoforamantobedrunkwithout——"
　　"Oh，amanisallthebetter，"declaredMrs。Korner，"forlettinghimselfgooccasionally。"
　　"Mydear——"
　　"You，Christopher，wouldbeallthebetterforlettingyourselfgo——occasionally。"
　　"Iwish，"saidMr。Korner，ashepassedhisemptycup，"youwouldnotsaythingsyoudonotmean。Anyonehearingyou——"
　　"Ifthere’sonethingmakesmemoreangrythananother，"saidMrs。
　　Korner，"itisbeingtoldIsaythingsthatIdonotmean。"
　　"Whysaythemthen？"suggestedMr。Korner。
　　"Idon’t。Ido——ImeanIdomeanthem，"explainedMrs。Korner。
　　"Youcanhardlymean，mydear，"persistedherhusband，"thatyoureallythinkIshouldbeallthebetterforgettingdrunk——evenoccasionally。"
　　"Ididn’tsaydrunk；Isaid’goingit。’"
　　"ButIdo’goit’inmoderation，"pleadedMr。Korner，"’Moderationinallthings，’thatismymotto。"
　　"Iknowit，"returnedMrs。Korner。
　　"Alittleofeverythingandnothing——"thistimeMr。Kornerinterruptedhimself。"Ifear，"saidMr。Korner，rising，"wemustpostponethefurtherdiscussionofthisinterestingtopic。Ifyouwouldnotmindsteppingoutwithmeintothepassage，dear，thereareoneortwolittlemattersconnectedwiththehouse——"
　　Hostandhostesssqueezedpastthevisitorandclosedthedoorbehindthem。Thevisitorcontinuedeating。
　　"Idomeanit，"repeatedMrs。Korner，forthethirdtime，reseatingherselfaminutelateratthetable。"Iwouldgiveanything——anything，"reiteratedtheladyrecklessly，"toseeChristophermoreliketheordinarysortofman。"
　　"Buthehasalwaysbeenthesort——thesortofmanheis，"herbosomfriendremindedher。
　　"Oh，duringtheengagement，ofcourse，oneexpectsamantobeperfect。Ididn’tthinkhewasgoingtokeepitup。"
　　"Heseemstome，"saidMissGreene，"adear，goodfellow。Youareoneofthosepeoplewhoneverknowwhentheyarewelloff。"
　　"Iknowheisagoodfellow，"agreedMrs。Korner，"andIamveryfondofhim。ItisjustbecauseIamfondofhimthatIhatefeelingashamedofhim。Iwanthimtobeamanlyman，todothethingsthatothermendo。"
　　"Doalltheordinarysortofmenswearandgetoccasionallydrunk？"
　　"Ofcoursetheydo，"assertedMrs。Korner，inatoneofauthority。
　　"Onedoesnotwantamantobeamilksop。"
　　"Haveyoueverseenadrunkenman？"inquiredthebosomfriend，whowasnibblingsugar。
　　"Heaps，"repliedMrs。Korner，whowassuckingmarmaladeoffherfingers。
　　BywhichMrs。Kornermeantthatsomehalfadozentimesinherlifeshehadvisitedtheplay，choosingbypreferencethelighterformofBritishdrama。Thefirsttimeshewitnessedtherealthing，whichhappenedjustpreciselyamonthlater，longaftertheconversationhererecordedhadbeenforgottenbythepartiesmostconcerned，noonecouldhavebeenmoreutterlyastonishedthanwasMrs。Korner。
　　HowitcameaboutMr。Kornerwasneverabletofullysatisfyhimself。
　　Mr。Kornerwasnotthetypethatservesthepurposeofthetemperancelecturer。His"firstglass"hehaddrunkmoreyearsagothanhecouldrecollect，andsincehadtastedthevariedcontentsofmanyothers。
　　ButneverbeforehadMr。Kornerexceeded，norbeentemptedtoexceed，thelimitsofhisfavouritevirtue，moderation。
　　"Wehadonebottleofclaretbetweenus，"Mr。Kornerwouldoftenrecalltohismind，"ofwhichhedrankthegreaterpart。Andthenhebroughtoutthelittlegreenflask。Hesaiditwasmadefrompears——thatinPerutheykeptitspeciallyforChildren’sparties。Ofcourse，thatmayhavebeenhisjoke；butinanycaseIcannotseehowjustoneglass——IwondercouldIhavetakenmorethanoneglasswhilehewastalking。"ItwasapointthatworriedMr。Korner。
　　The"he"whohadtalked，possibly，tosuchbadeffectwasadistantcousinofMr。Korner’s，oneBillDamon，chiefmateofthesteamship_LaFortuna_。UntiltheirchancemeetingthatafternooninLeadenhallStreet，theyhadnotseeneachothersincetheywereboystogether。
　　The_Fortuna_wasleavingSt。Katherine’sDocksearlythenextmorningboundforSouthAmerica，anditmightbeyearsbeforetheymetagain。
　　AsMr。Damonpointedout，Fate，bythusthrowingthemintoeachother’sarms，clearlyintendedtheyshouldhaveacosydinnertogetherthatveryeveninginthecaptain’scabinofthe_Fortuna_。
　　Mr。Korner，returningtotheoffice，despatchedtoRavenscourtParkanexpressletter，announcingthestrangenewsthathemightnotbehomethateveningmuchbeforeten，andathalf—pastsix，forthefirsttimesincehismarriage，directedhisstepsawayfromhomeandMrs。Korner。
　　Thetwofriendstalkedofmanythings。Andlaterontheyspokeofsweetheartsandofwives。MateDamon’sexperienceshadapparentlybeenwideandvaried。Theytalked——or，rather，thematetalked，andMr。Kornerlistened——oftheolive—tintedbeautiesoftheSpanishMain，ofthedark—eyedpassionatecreoles，oftheblondJunosoftheCalifornianvalleys。Thematehadtheoriesconcerningthecareandmanagementofwomen：theoriesthat，ifthemate’swordcouldbereliedupon，hadstoodthetestofstudiedapplication。AnewworldopenedouttoMr。Korner；aworldwherelovelywomenworshippedwithdoglikedevotionmenwho，thoughlovingtheminreturn，knewhowtobetheirmasters。Mr。Korner，warmedgraduallyfromcolddisapprovaltobubblingappreciation，satentranced。Timealonesetalimittotherecitalofthemate’sadventures。Ateleveno’clockthecookremindedthemthatthecaptainandthepilotmightbeaboardatanymoment。
　　Mr。Korner，surprisedatthelatenessofthehour，tookalongandtenderfarewellofhiscousin，andfoundSt。Katherine’sDocksoneofthemostbewilderingplacesoutofwhichhehadevertriedtoescape。
　　Underalamp—postintheMinories，itsuddenlyoccurredtoMr。Kornerthathewasanunappreciatedman。Mrs。KornerneversaidanddidthesortofthingsbymeansofwhichthebeautiesoftheSouthernMainendeavouredfeeblytoexpresstheirconsumingpassionforgentlemensuperiorinnoway——asfarashecouldsee——toMr。Kornerhimself。
　　ThinkingoverthesortofthingsMrs。Kornerdidsayanddiddo，tearssprungintoMr。Korner’seyes。Noticingthatapolicemanwaseyeinghimwithcuriosity，hedashedthemasideandhurriedon。PacingtheplatformoftheMansionHouseStation，whereitisalwaysdraughty，thethoughtofhiswrongsreturnedtohimwithrenewedforce。WhywastherenotraceofdoglikedevotionaboutMrs。Korner？Thefault——sohebitterlytoldhimself——thefaultwashis。"Awomanloveshermaster；itisherinstinct，"musedMr。Kornertohimself。"Damme，"
　　thoughtMr。Korner，"Idon’tbelievethathalfhertimesheknowsIamhermaster。"
　　"Goaway，"saidMr。Kornertoayouthofpastyappearancewho，withopenmouth，hadstoppedimmediatelyinfrontofhim。
　　"I’mfondo’listening，"explainedthepastyyouth。
　　"Who’stalking？"demandedMr。Korner。
　　"Youare，"repliedthepastyyouth。
　　ItisalongjourneyfromthecitytoRavenscourtPark，butthetaskofplanningoutthefuturelifeofMrs。KornerandhimselfkeptMr。
　　Kornerwideawakeandinterested。Whenhegotoutofthetrainthethingchieflytroublinghimwasthethree—quartersofamileofmuddyroadstretchingbetweenhimandhisdeterminationtomakethingscleartoMrs。Kornerthenandthere。
　　ThesightofAcaciaVilla，suggestingthateverybodywasinbedandasleep，servedtofurtherirritatehim。Adog—likewifewouldhavebeensittinguptoseeiftherewasanythinghewanted。Mr。Korner，actingontheadviceofhisownbrassplate，notonlyknockedbutalsorang。Asthedoordidnotimmediatelyflyopen，hecontinuedtoknockandring。Thewindowofthebestbedroomonthefirstflooropened。
　　"Isthatyou？"saidthevoiceofMrs。Korner。Therewas，asithappened，adistinctsuggestionofpassioninMrs。Korner’svoice，butnotofthepassionMr。Kornerwaswishfultoinspire。Itmadehimalittlemoreangrythanhewasbefore。
　　"Don’tyoutalktomewithyourheadoutofthewindowasifthiswereagallantyshow。Youcomedownandopenthedoor，"commandedMr。
　　Korner。
　　"Haven’tyougotyourlatchkey？"demandedMrs。Korner。
　　ForanswerMr。Kornerattackedthedooragain。Thewindowclosed。
　　Thenextmomentbutsixorseven，thedoorwasopenedwithsuchsuddennessthatMr。Korner，stillgrippingtheknocker，wasborneinwardinaflyingattitude。Mrs。Kornerhaddescendedthestairsreadywithafewremarks。ShehadnotanticipatedthatMr。Korner，usuallyslowofspeech，couldbeevenreadier。
　　"Where’smysupper？"indignantlydemandedMr。Korner，stillsupportedbytheknocker。
　　Mrs。Korner，tooastonishedforwords，simplystared。
　　"Where’smysupper？"repeatedMr。Korner，bythistimeworkedupintogenuineastonishmentthatitwasnotreadyforhim。"What’severybodymean，goingofftobed，whenthemasterororoushasn’thadhissupper？"
　　"Isanythingthematter，dear？"washeardthevoiceofMissGreene，speakingfromtheneighbourhoodofthefirstlanding。
　　"Comein，Christopher，"pleadedMrs。Korner，"pleasecomein，andletmeshutthedoor。"
　　Mrs。Kornerwasthetypeofyoungladyfondofdomineeringwithanotun—gracefulhauteuroverthoseaccustomedtoyieldreadilytoher；itisatypethatiseasilyfrightened。
　　"Iwan’grilledkinneys—on—toast，"explainedMr。Korner，exchangingtheknockerforthehat—stand，andwishingthenextmomentthathehadnot。"Don’let’s’avareytalkaboutit。Unnerstan’？Idowan’anytalkaboutit。"
　　"WhatonearthamItodo？"whisperedtheterrifiedMrs。Kornertoherbosomfriend，"thereisn’takidneyinthehouse。"
　　"Ishouldpoachhimacoupleofeggs，"suggestedthehelpfulbosomfriend；"putplentyofCayennepepperonthem。Verylikelyhewon’tremember。"
　　Mr。Kornerallowedhimselftobepersuadedintothedining—room，whichwasalsothebreakfastparlourandthelibrary。Thetwoladies，joinedbythehastilycladstaff，whosechronicindignationseemedtohavevanishedinfaceofthefirstexcuseforitthatAcaciaVillahadaffordedher，madehastetolightthekitchenfire。
　　"Ishouldneverhavebelievedit，"whisperedthewhite—facedMrs。
　　Korner，"never。"
　　"Makesyerknowthere’samanaboutthe’ouse，don’tit？"chirpedthedelightedstaff。Mrs。Korner，foranswer，boxedthegirl’sears；itrelievedherfeelingstoaslightextent。
　　Thestaffretaineditsequanimity，buttheoperationsofMrs。KornerandherbosomfriendwereretardedratherthanassistedbythevoiceofMr。Korner，heardeveryquarterofaminute，roaringoutfreshdirections。
　　"Idarenotgoinalone，"saidMrs。Korner，whenallthingswereinorderonthetray。Sothebosomfriendfollowedher，andthestaffbroughtuptherear。
　　"What’sthis？"frownedMr。Korner。"Itoldyouchops。"
　　"I’msosorry，dear，"falteredMrs。Korner，"butthereweren’tanyinthehouse。"
　　"Inaperfectlyorganizedouse，suchasforthefutureImeanterave，"
　　continuedMr。Korner，helpinghimselftobeer，"thereshouldalwaysbechopanteak。Unnerstanme？chopanteak！"
　　"I’lltryandremember，dear，"saidMrs。Korner。
　　"Pearsterme，"saidMr。Korner，betweenmouthfuls，"you’renorrersortofhousekeeperIwant。"
　　"I’lltrytobe，dear，"pleadedMrs。Korner。
　　"Where’syourbooks？"Mr。Kornersuddenlydemanded。
　　"Mybooks？"repeatedMrs。Korner，inastonishment。
　　Mr。Kornerstruckthecornerofthetablewithhisfist，whichmademostthingsintheroom，includingMrs。Korner，jump。
　　"Don’tyoudefyme，mygirl，"saidMr。Korner。"Youknowwhatermean，yourhousekeepin’books。"
　　Theyhappenedtobeinthedrawerofthechiffonier。Mrs。Kornerproducedthem，andpassedthemtoherhusbandwithatremblinghand。
　　Mr。Korner，openingonebyhazard，bentoveritwithknittedbrows。
　　"Pearsterme，mygirl，youcan’tadd，"saidMr。Korner。
　　"I——Iwasalwaysconsideredrathergoodatarithmetic，asagirl，"
　　stammeredMrs。Korner。
　　"Whatyoumayabeenasagirl，andwhat——twenner—sevenandnine？"
　　fiercelyquestionedMr。Korner。
　　"Thirty—eight——seven，"commencedtoblundertheterrifiedMrs。Korner。
　　"Knowyourninetablesordon’tyou？"thunderedMr。Korner。
　　"Iusedto，"sobbedMrs。Korner。
　　"Sayit，"commandedMr。Korner。
　　"Ninetimesonearenine，"sobbedthepoorlittlewoman，"ninetimestwo——"
　　"Goron，"saidMr。Kornersternly。
　　Shewentonsteadily，inalowmonotone，brokenbystifledsobs。Thedrearyrhythmoftherepetitionmaypossiblyhaveassisted。Asshementionedfearfullythatninetimeselevenwereninety—nine，MissGreenepointedstealthilytowardthetable。Mrs。Korner，glancingupfearfully，sawthattheeyesofherlordandmasterwereclosed；heardtherisingsnorethatissuedfromhishead，restingbetweentheemptybeer—jugandthecruetstand。
　　"Hewillbeallright，"counselledMissGreene。"Yougotobedandlockyourselfin。HarrietandIwillseetohisbreakfastinthemorning。Itwillbejustaswellforyoutobeoutoftheway。"
　　AndMrs。Korner，onlytoothankfulforsomeonetotellherwhattodo，obeyedinallthings。
　　Towardseveno’clockthesunlightstreamingintotheroomcausedMr。
　　Kornerfirsttoblink，thenyawn，thenopenhalfaneye。
　　"Greetthedaywithasmile，"murmuredMr。Korner，sleepily，"anditwill——"
　　Mr。Kornersatupsuddenlyandlookedabouthim。Thiswasnotbed。
　　Thefragmentsofajugandglasslayscatteredroundhisfeet。Tothetableclothanoverturnedcruet—standmingledwithegggavecolour。A
　　tinglingsensationabouthisheadcalledforinvestigation。Mr。
　　Kornerwasforcedtotheconclusionthatsomebodyhadbeentryingtomakeasaladofhim——somebodywithanexceptionallyheavyhandformustard。AsounddirectedMr。Korner’sattentiontothedoor。
　　ThefaceofMissGreene，portentouslygrave，waspeepingthroughthejar。
　　Mr。Kornerrose。MissGreeneenteredstealthily，and，closingthedoor，stoodwithherbackagainstit。
　　"Isupposeyouknowwhat——whatyou’vedone？"suggestedMissGreene，Shespokeinasepulchraltone；itchilledpoorMr。Kornertothebone。
　　"Itisbeginningtocomebacktome，butnot——notveryclearly，"
　　admittedMr。Korner。
　　"Youcamehomedrunk——verydrunk，"MissGreeneinformedhim，"attwoo’clockinthemorning。Thenoiseyoumademusthaveawakenedhalfthestreet。"
　　Agroanescapedfromhisparchedlips。
　　"YouinsisteduponAimeecookingyouahotsupper。"
　　"Iinsisted！"Mr。Kornerglanceddownuponthetable。"And——andshedidit！"
　　"Youwereveryviolent，"explainedMissGreene；"wewereterrifiedatyou，allthreeofus。"Regardingthepatheticobjectinfrontofher，MissGreenefounditdifficulttorecollectthatafewhoursbeforeshereallyhadbeenfrightenedofit。Senseofdutyalonerestrainedherpresentinclinationtolaugh。
　　"Whileyousatthere，eatingyoursupper，"continuedMissGreeneremorselessly，"youmadeherbringyouherbooks。"
　　Mr。Kornerhadpassedthestagewhenanythingcouldastonishhim。
　　"Youlecturedheraboutherhousekeeping。"TherewasatwinkleintheeyeofMrs。Korner’sbosomfriend。ButlightningcouldhaveflashedbeforeMr。Korner’seyeswithouthisnoticingitjustthen。
　　"Youtoldherthatshecouldnotadd，andyoumadehersayhertables。"
　　"Imadeher——"Mr。Kornerspokeintheemotionlesstonesofonemerelydesiringinformation。"ImadeAimeesayhertables？"
　　"Herninetimes，"noddedMissGreene。
　　Mr。Kornersatdownuponhischairandstaredwithstonyeyesintothefuture。
　　"What’stobedone？"saidMr。Korner，"she’llneverforgiveme；Iknowher。Youarenotchaffingme？"hecriedwithamomentarygleamofhope。"Ireallydidit？"
　　"Yousatinthatverychairwhereyouaresittingnowandatepoachedeggs，whileshestoodoppositetoyouandsaidherninetimestable。
　　Attheendofit，seeingyouhadgonetosleepyourself，Ipersuadedhertogotobed。Itwasthreeo’clock，andwethoughtyouwouldnotmind。"MissGreenedrewupachair，and，withherelbowsonthetable，lookedacrossatMr。Korner。DecidedlytherewasatwinkleintheeyesofMrs。Korner’sbosomfriend。
　　"You’llneverdoitagain，"suggestedMissGreene。
　　"Doyouthinkitpossible，"criedMr。Korner，"thatshemayforgiveme？"
　　"No，Idon’t，"repliedMissGreene。AtwhichMr。Korner’sfacefellbacktozero。"Ithinkthebestwayoutwillbeforyoutoforgiveher。"
　　Theideadidnotevenamusehim。MissGreeneglancedroundtosatisfyherselfthatthedoorwasstillclosed，andlistenedamomenttoassureherselfofthesilence。
　　"Don’tyouremember，"MissGreenetooktheextraprecautiontowhisperit，"thetalkwehadatbreakfast—timethefirstmorningofmyvisit，whenAimeesaidyouwouldbeallthebetterfor’goingit’
　　occasionally？"
　　Yes，slowlyitcamebacktoMr。Korner。Butsheonlysaid"goingit，"
　　Mr。Kornerrecollectedtohisdismay。
　　"Well，you’vebeen’goingit，’"persistedMissGreene。"Besides，shedidnotmean’goingit。’Shemeanttherealthing，onlyshedidnotliketosaytheword。Wetalkedaboutitafteryouhadgone。Shesaidshewouldgiveanythingtoseeyoumoreliketheordinaryman。
　　Andthatisherideaoftheordinaryman。"
　　Mr。Korner’ssluggishnessofcomprehensionirritatedMissGreene。Sheleanedacrossthetableandshookhim。"Don’tyouunderstand？Youhavedoneitonpurposetoteachheralesson。Itisshewhohasgottoaskyoutoforgiveher。"
　　"Youthink——？"
　　"Ithink，ifyoumanageitproperly，itwillbethebestday’sworkyouhaveeverdone。Getoutofthehousebeforeshewakes。Ishallsaynothingtoher。Indeed，Ishallnothavethetime；Imustcatchtheteno’clockfromPaddington。Whenyoucomehomethisevening，youtalkfirst；that’swhatyou’vegottodo。"AndMr。Korner，inhisexcitement，kissedthebosomfriendbeforeheknewwhathehaddone。
　　Mrs。Kornersatwaitingforherhusbandthateveninginthedrawing—room。Shewasdressedasforajourney，andaboutthecornersofhermouthwerelinesfamiliartoChristopher，thesightofwhichsenthisheartintohisboots。Fortunately，herecoveredhimselfintimetogreetherwithasmile。Itwasnotthesmilehehadbeenrehearsinghalftheday，butthatitwasasmileofanysortastonishedthewordsawayfromMrs。Korner’slips，andgavehimtheinestimableadvantageoffirstspeech。
　　"Well，"saidMr。Kornercheerily，"andhowdidyoulikeit？"
　　ForthemomentMrs。Kornerfearedherhusband’snewcomplainthadalreadyreachedthechronicstage，buthisstillsmilingfacereassuredher——tothatextentatallevents。
　　"Whenwouldyoulikemeto’goit’again？Oh，come，"continuedMr。
　　Kornerinresponsetohiswife’sbewilderment，"yousurelyhavenotforgottenthetalkwehadatbreakfast—time——thefirstmorningofMildred’svisit。YouhintedhowmuchmoreattractiveIshouldbeforoccasionally’lettingmyselfgo！’"
　　Mr。Korner，watchingintently，perceivedthatuponMrs。Kornerrecollectionwasslowlyforcingitself。
　　"Iwasunabletoobligeyoubefore，"explainedMr。Korner，"havingtokeepmyheadclearforbusiness，andnotknowingwhattheeffectupononemightbe。YesterdayIdidmybest，andIhopeyouarepleasedwithme。Though，ifyoucouldseeyourwaytobeingcontent——justforthepresentanduntilIgetmoreusedtoit——withasimilarperformancenotoftenerthanonceafortnight，say，Ishouldbegrateful，"addedMr。Korner。
　　"Youmean——"saidMrs。Korner，rising。
　　"Imean，mydear，"saidMr。Korner，"thatalmostfromthedayofourmarriageyouhavemadeitclearthatyouregardmeasamilksop。Youhavegotyournotionofmenfromsillybooksandsillierplays，andyourtroubleisthatIamnotlikethem。Well，I’veshownyouthat，ifyouinsistuponit，Icanbelikethem。"
　　"Butyouweren’t，"arguedMrs。Korner，"notabitlikethem。"
　　"Ididmybest，"repeatedMr。Korner；"wearenotallmadealike。
　　Thatwas_my_drunk。"
　　"Ididn’tsay’drunk。’"
　　"Butyoumeantit，"interruptedMr。Korner。"Weweretalkingaboutdrunkenmen。Themanintheplaywasdrunk。Youthoughthimamusing。"
　　"Hewasamusing，"persistedMrs。Korner，nowintears。"Imeantthatsortofdrunk。"
　　"Hiswife，"Mr。Kornerremindedher，"didn’tfindhimamusing。Inthethirdactshewasthreateningtoreturnhometohermother，which，ifImayjudgefromfindingyouherewithallyourclotheson，isalsotheideathathasoccurredtoyou。"
　　"Butyou——youweresoawful，"whimperedMrs。Korner。
　　"WhatdidIdo？"questionedMr。Korner。
　　"Youcamehammeringatthedoor——"
　　"Yes，yes，Irememberthat。Iwantedmysupper，andyoupoachedmeacoupleofeggs。Whathappenedafterthat？"
　　Therecollectionofthatcrowningindignitylenttohervoicethetruenoteoftragedy。
　　"Youmademesaymytables——myninetimes！"
　　Mr。KornerlookedatMrs。Korner，andMrs。KornerlookedatMr。
　　Korner，andforawhiletherewassilence。
　　"Wereyou——wereyoureallyalittlebiton，"falteredMrs。Korner，"oronlypretending？"
　　"Really，"confessedMr。Korner。"Forthefirsttimeinmylife。Ifyouarecontent，forthelasttimealso。"
　　"Iamsorry，"saidMrs。Korner，"Ihavebeenverysilly。Pleaseforgiveme。"