"Of course we will be only too glad to put him up," said Mrs.
Belknap-Jackson quickly.
"But, my dear, he will of course come to us first," put in Mrs. Effie.
"Afterward, to be sure----"
"It's so important that he should receive a favourable impression,"
responded Mrs. Belknap-Jackson.
"That's exactly why----" Mrs. Effie came back with not a little
obvious warmth. Belknap-Jackson here caught my eye.
"I dare say Ruggles and I can be depended upon to decide a minor
matter like that," he said.
The ladies both broke in at this, rather sputteringly, but Cousin
Egbert silenced them.
"Shake dice for him," he said--"poker dice, three throws, aces low."
"How shockingly vulgar!" hissed Mrs. Belknap-Jackson.
"Even if there were no other reason for his coming to us," remarked
her husband coldly, "there are certain unfortunate associations which
ought to make his entertainment here quite impossible."
"If you're calling me 'unfortunate associations,'" remarked Cousin
Egbert, "you want to get it out of your head right off. I don't mind
telling you, the Judge and I get along fine together. I told him when
I was in Paris and Europe to look me up the first thing if ever he
come here, and he said he sure would. The Judge is some mixer, believe
me!"
"The 'Judge'!" echoed the Belknap-Jacksons in deep disgust.
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