E. F. Benson

“ And in the evening we play halma. If any one begins to play halma for money we shall stop playing it—at least we never play whist because other people play it for money. And on Sunday we sing hymns in the drawing-room, and look at sketches of the Holy Land. That’s so interesting. The Holy Land will drive me to the dogs if they don’t take care.”
“I shall certainly come here again in November,” said Amherst gravely. “I’m sure I should enjoy it. But why do you look at sketches of the Holy Land? Why don’t you shut them up and read a novel?”
“Ah, you don’t know,” said Grace. “You have to do it. ”

“ On the other hand, it must not be supposed that he belonged to that class of young men who feel it a distinct advantage in a house if the housemaids are good-looking. Such a thing seemed to Gerald Amherst an unpardonable vulgarity; but when in the person of a pretty girl who by birth and education was his equal, he found interest and amusement, he felt disposed to cultivate her acquaintance.
His married sister, Mrs. Falconhurst, and her husband had decided to spend August at a house they owned near Applethorpe, and Amherst had been persuaded without much difficulty to join them. ”

“ Amherst.’ Then about the third day you can get on more intimate terms with him and say ‘I like Gerald Amherst’; and so on. You dislike him just because he beat you to-day. That’s not worthy of you, Tommy.”
“Mr. Amherst is a light-minded young man,” remarked her aunt. “I don’t approve of him.”
[Illustration: “I HAVE MORE THAN HALF A MIND TO STOP HERE AND SEE THE PLAY OUT.”]
“No, dear aunt,” said Grace in loud clear tones, “I didn’t think you would. You see you never like young men—except Tommy, of course—because you think they are all light-minded. ”

“ Sibthorp told me she heard him swear the other day,” continued her aunt, who had not heard this last question. “He was playing billiards and dropped the ball on to his foot.”
“Well, dear, it must have been very annoying,” said Grace. “I’m sure I should swear if I was a man.” ”

“ Meanwhile Grace Crookenden was announcing the fact of the ball to her aunt and Mr. Tripple, who was dining with them. Her aunt was rather deaf, and she had to speak loud.
“Aunt, dear,” she said, “the Falconhursts are going to give a dance next week before they go. Mr. Amherst told me. Tommy, you’ll have to come and practise your steps. You’re such an ignorant little gentleman. And if those are the best pumps you’ve got, why you must just get some new ones.” ”

“ Tripe, or Trip, or something.”
“Oh, now I see,” said Gerald calmly. “Yes, Miss Crookenden is the most charming girl. I had a long talk.with her to-day, and she described her life here in November; it really was quite amusing. By the way, I threw out a hint about giving a dance, just a little one you know. I think you said something about it the other day, didn’t you? and it appears that a dance will put the coping-stone on our perfections.”
[Illustration: “I DON’T THINK I CAN DANCE.”]
“One might do worse,” said Mrs. Falconhurst. “What do you say, Jack?” ”

“ MR. TRIPPLE’S powers as a lawn-tennis player could not be considered of a very high order, but he had a certain capacity for contriving to send the ball back over the net, which made him a more formidable opponent than he appeared. Again, when the ball was returned to him in a far corner of the court, though the spectators could not be expected to admire the dash, the flicking back-hand stroke, which sometimes converts defence into attack, yet the more attentive of them would observe that Mr. ”

“ Stated in a less abstract form, it is worth notice that a large number of secrets are always told at dances, under the strictest confidence, and that young men often ask vital questions on these occasions. ”

“ The dance was rather larger than she had originally intended, for the Charvendens, who lived in the neighbourhood, were entertaining a houseful for the Crosscliff week, and Lady Charvenden had announced that her party would consist of at least twelve. Moreover, Mrs. Falconhurst knew very well that she had a genius for things of this kind; people always enjoyed themselves at her house; there were always enough ices ”

“ Falconhurst’s genius that her guests happened on this night not to come straggling in at intervals, but in a compact quarter of an hour, so that there was no preliminary hanging about and racking of empty brains which desired to dance; and before half-past ten Lady Charvenden sailed into the room, towing behind her a large number of irreproachable young men and well-dressed young women. Grace Crookenden and her aunt came rather later with Mr. ”