That's
wot I call hard work, sir."
"It is outrageous. Take five cigars."
"Thank you kindly, sir."
"What kept you up till one o'clock?"
"Gossip, sir--just silly gossip. All about Mrs. Capella, an' Beechcroft,
an' I don't know wot"
"Indeed, and who was so interested in these topics as to spoil your beauty
sleep?"
"The new gentleman, who is so like Mr. David."
"How very interesting," said the barrister, who certainly did not expect
this revelation.
"It seemed to be interesting to 'im, sir. You see, the 'ouse is pretty
full, and when you brought 'im 'ere last night, sir, the bookkeeper gev'
'im the room next to mine. Last thing, I fetched the gentleman a Scotch
an' soda an' a cigar. 'E said 'e couldn't sleep, and 'e was lookin' at a
fotygraf. I caught a squint at it, an' I sez, 'Beg parding, sir, but ain't
that Mrs. Capella--Miss Margaret as used to be?' That started 'im."
"You surprise me."
"And the gentleman surprised me," confided the waiter, whose greatest
conversational effects were produced by quickly adapting remarks made to
him. "P'r'aps you are not aware, sir, that the lady's Eye-talian 'usbin'
ain't no good?"
"I have heard something of the sort."
"Then you've heard something right, sir. They do say as 'ow 'e beats her."
"The scoundrel!"
"Scoundrel! You should 'ave seen No.
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