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Don Luis heard the news from Mazeroux, who came to tell him of it before eight o'clock the next morning, just as he was getting out of bed. The sergeant had a travelling bag in his hand and was on his way to catch a train. Don Luis was greatly upset. "Is she dead?" he exclaimed. "No. It seems that she has had one more let-off. But what's the good?" "How do you mean, what's the good?"
"Your Pa's out a-parishing," said Letitia, bumping down the tray in front of her. "That's a let-off anyhow," said Betty to herself, and she propped up a Stevenson against the tea-pot. After tea parishioners strolled up by ones and twos and threes to change their books at the Vicarage lending library. The books were covered with black calico, and smelt of rooms whose windows were never opened.
He passed a newspaper-office, where the thunder of machinery and the glare of the case-room reminded him of his own bitter apprenticeship at the Rocket. They might find him a job here if he applied. Faugh! who would take a gaol-bird, a "let-off" swindler, into their employ? He strolled down to the docks. The great river lay asleep. The docks were, deserted; the dockyards silent.
"Well, I suppose it isn't really rum I expect I saw you just before I fainted, or whatever it was but I've dreamed the most extraordinary dream while I've been insensible and you were in it." "Nothing but us?" asked Mabel breathlessly. "Oh, lots of things impossible things but you were real enough." Everyone breathed deeply in relief. It was indeed, as they agreed later, a lucky let-off.
There was a pause, and then a voice whispered: "'Why, they seem to be asleep! Keep them covered, Smith, and shoot if they move. "Soft footsteps advanced across the room. Someone gave a choking cough and then a brassy voice fairly shouted, 'Why, man, they're dead! My Lord! What a let-off! "An unsteady laugh told of the effort it had cost the worthy officer to take this frightful risk.
One cheek was plastered with soil; patches of green stain discoloured her coat, her hair hung rakishly askew, yet never had her manner been more composed nor complacently matter of fact. "We've had a pretty lucky let-off. You are alive all right, and I guess there's not much the matter with you but nerves. There's nothing wrong with your lungs, anyway.
But his case was appealed, and at last he had his crime reduced in degree, and received sentence of a short term three or five years in San Quentin prison. This easy let-off did not satisfy him; he wanted a verdict of acquittal, and expected still to get it.
Foolish man! can't you see that if I hadn't loved you one scrap, or only half across your lips as we used to say when we were children, it would have been quite a let-off to be met with offers of a brother's love ... and that sort of thing.... Isn't that them?" This was colloquial. This story does not believe that Gwen's statement of her recent embarrassment covered the facts.
Clarence meanwhile nods, winks, smiles, and patronizes them all with the easiest good-humor. He is a fellow who would poke an archbishop in the apron, or clap a duke on the shoulder, as coolly as he would address you and me. I saw him the other night at Mrs. Bumpsher's grand let-off. He flung himself down cross-legged on a pink satin sofa, so that you could see Mrs.
Sims came in, and another yell was heard. Mid-on had given Mr. Lyttelton another let-off, an easy thing he might have held in his mouth. Mid-on wished that the earth would open and swallow him. Presently Mr. Lyttelton hit Mr. Buckland a beautiful skimming smack to square leg. Mr.
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