Ralph Henry Barbour

“ Good heavens, man! you can't begin to get what you want into that thing. Call Albert and tell him to pack a steamer-trunk. And don't forget your golf things."
"Albert's given notice again," said John, doubtfully.
"Of course he has," said I. "He always does when the engagement's off; it's part of the performance. But don't pay any attention to him. Only," I added, "you might just say that you've altered your mind about the livery-stable, you know; Albert's so touchy." ”

“ Albert would ride superbly all day over six-barred aspirates only to come a cropper in the end over my unhappy name. "You know, sir, that I ain't the complaining kind. I don't mind when he swears at me, if he does it as a gentleman should; and I've put up with boots and golf-balls, and even inkstands now and then, sir, and said nothing; but—" Albert drew himself up to the heroic stature of five feet five inches—"but, sir, when he calls me a blundering ass, sir, and says as how I 'ought to be valet in a livery stable,' sir, I rebels, sir ”

“ I had been toying with the little velvet case, and had unwittingly snapped it open. I gave a gasp, and stared at the contents.
"I say, old man," I asked, casually, "have you looked at this ring since it came back?" ”