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Another human trait in the proprietor of "Poulter's" was that he was insensible to Miss Nippett's loyalty to the academy, he taking her devotion as a matter of course. Miss Nippett and Mavis, also, became friends; the latter was moved by the touching faith which the shrivelled-up little accompanist had in the academy, its future, and, above all, its proprietor.
I would speak my patter, and you would intersperse my orations with melodious ballads bearing upon the virtues of Poulter's Pills. The ballads are all ready!" So saying, he opened that bag and drew forth from its recesses nothing more alarming than a thick roll of manuscript music.
"I know, I know," replied Mr Poulter. "But I want her first evening at 'Poulter's' to be quite 'appy and 'omelike." "Did you easily find 'Poulter's'?" asked Mr Poulter presently of Mavis. "I had no number, so I had to ask," she replied. "Then, of course, you were directed at once," suggested Mr Poulter eagerly.
Mavis read a formally worded letter from Mr Poulter, in which he informed Miss Nippett "that, in consideration of her many years' faithful service, he could think of no more fitting way to reward her than by taking her into partnership: in accordance with this resolve, what was formerly known as 'Poulter's' would in future be described for all time as 'Poulter and Nippett's."
This belief was strengthened by the fact of Mrs Bilkins making copious reference to past prosperity directly Mavis made innocent mention of former events in her life which pointed to her having been better off than she was at present. It was fourteen days before Miss Nippett's chilblains were sufficiently healed to allow her to take her place at "Poulter's" piano.
"But there, one mustn't be too ambitious. That's the worst of me. And it's the way to be un'appy," she sighed. Mavis walked with heavy heart to her lodging; for all her own griefs, Miss Nippett's touching faith in "Poulter's" moved her deeply. When Mavis got back, she found Mrs Scatchard and her niece in high feather.
"Thank you," replied Mr Poulter, "but I only smoke after 'Poulter's' is closed. It might give 'Poulter's' a bad reputation if the young lady pupils went 'ome smelling of smoke." "'E thinks of everything," declared Miss Nippett admiringly. "'Poulter's' is not deficient in worldly wisdom," remarked the dancing-master with subdued pride.
No, Poulter's conscience had forbidden him to purchase 'little Underwood's' treasure at what he knew to be so much beneath its value; but he had given Captain Harewood his best advice and recommendations, and by that means the violin had been taken at a London shop, still at a price beneath his estimate, but the utmost that could be expected where ready money was the point.
The very surgeon who attended him in the hospital after he had received his gunshot-wound had been profoundly impressed with the superiority of Mr. Poulter's flesh, no other flesh would have healed in anything like the same time. On less personal matters connected with the important warfare in which he had been engaged, Mr.
"And what with the undercutting and all, on the part of those who ought to know better, it makes it 'ard to make both ends meet." "I'm sure it does." "But there! We'll leave it to Mr Poulter." "That's the best thing to do." "I'll see if Mr Poulter's finished 'is tea." Mavis followed the woman across the ballroom, and back to the cloak-room, where she was left alone for quite five minutes.
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