W. Pett Ridge

“ Barwick and the young woman did meet on several occasions, and the talk did not always restrict itself to the item on the agenda. But that matter was argued, and information pieced together. The rose bowl, it seemed, arrived at Ladywell, and Mrs. Robson asked casually, "How much were you foolish enough to pay for that?" and Robson answered, in an equally off-hand way, that he had picked it up as a bargain. For the rest, a ridiculous game was being played with the gift. Robson, before leaving of a morning, placed it at the centre of the table of the dining-room; Mrs. ”

“ I can only say that in private life you're more than a trifle difficult to get on with." The lady beamed, as some do in accepting a compliment.
Barwick received a note on the following morning. He turned to the signature, Aileen Robson. The note communicated the fact that the writer had been talking to her sister, who, it appeared, was feeling depressed, and believed that contemplation of a set of men at dinner who did not know they were being watched was the exactly correct remedy. Mrs. Robson, mentioning that her sister had a keen sense of humour, begged Mr. ”

“ The vice-chairman rose and gave the toast of "The Firm." The chairman replied. Neither could be reckoned a highly gifted speaker, and in the gallery Mrs. Robson's sister held handkerchief over mouth as they bungled along with "What I mean to say," and "The point I'm trying to make clear is this." The girl declared that if it went on much longer, she would most assuredly have a fit.
"There is worse to come," mentioned Mrs. Robson.
Barwick, at the pianoforte, sang a song to his own accompaniment, and Mrs. Robson's sister admitted it was a fair baritone voice. Mr. ”