Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 14, 2025
"I was remembering an occasion at Chaynes-Wotten when Lord Ivor Cradleigh behaved toward me somewhat as Mr. Belknap-Jackson did last night and when my own deportment was quite all that could be wished. It occurs to me now that it was because his lordship was, how shall I say? quite far gone in liquor at the time, so that I could without loss of dignity pass it off as a mere prank.
Our host turned away with a contemptuous shrug that I dare say might have offended her had she observed it, but she was now speaking to Cousin Egbert, who had stared at us brazenly. "Ring that bell for the coon, Sour-dough. I'll split a bottle of Scotch with you." It queerly occurred to me that she made this monstrous suggestion in a spirit of bravado to annoy Mr. Belknap-Jackson.
The recital itself was quite all that could have been expected, but underneath the enthusiastic applause there ran even a more intense fervour among those fortunate ones who were to meet the artist on the morrow. Belknap-Jackson knew himself to be a hero. He was elaborately cool.
Belknap-Jackson again glared savagely at me as he went, but Mrs. Effie rather outglared him. Even I should hardly have cared to face her at that moment. And I was still in a high state of muddle. It was all beyond me. Had his lordship, I wondered, too seriously taken my careless words about American equality? Of course I had meant them to apply only to those stopping on in the States.
I also requested Cousin Egbert to be present, since he was my business sponsor. All being gathered at the Floud house, including Mrs. Belknap-Jackson, I told them straight that I had resolved to abandon my social career, brilliant though it had been, and to enter trade quite as one of their middle-class Americans.
Belknap-Jackson smiled deprecatingly and again waved his hand as if there were no need for words. "That rowdy Bohemian set " began Mrs. Effie, but I made bold to interrupt. There might, I said, be awkward moments, but I had no doubt that I should be able to meet them with a flawless tact.
Belknap-Jackson yet retained a fine native caution which counselled him to attempt no violence upon that offender; but his mental tension was such that it could be relieved only by his attacking some one; preferably some one forbidden to retaliate. I walked there temptingly but a pace ahead of him, after my well-meant word of advice. I make no defence of my own course.
"At last," said Mrs. Belknap-Jackson, "we shall have a place with tone to it. The hall above will be splendid for our dinner dances, and now we can have smart luncheons and afternoon teas." "And a red-coated orchestra and after-theatre suppers," said Mrs. Effie. "Only," put in Belknap-Jackson thoughtfully, "he will of course be compelled to use discretion about his patrons.
The stage was set as our own had been, but it would scarce be credited that the Kenner woman in male attire had made herself up in a curiously accurate resemblance to Belknap-Jackson as he had rendered the part of Oswald, copying not alone his wig, moustache, and fashion of speech, but appearing in a golfing suit which was recognized by those present as actually belonging to him.
"Tea will be served in half an hour, your er Brinstead," announced his host cordially, although seemingly at a loss how to address him. "Quite so, what, what! Tea, of course, of course! Why wouldn't it be? Meantime, if you don't mind, I'll have a word with Ruggles. At once." Belknap-Jackson softly and politely withdrew at once.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking