United States or Zambia ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
The Smithly-Dubbs never quite recovered from their unnerving experience. They have given up politics and taken to doing good. "Starling Chatter and Oakhill have both dropped back in the betting," said Bertie van Tahn, throwing the morning paper across the breakfast table. "That leaves Nursery Tea practically favourite," said Odo Finsberry.
"My dear Betty, don't be absurd," protested Milly; "I've got some people lunching with me at the Carlton to-morrow, and I'm leaving Town the day afterwards." "What time is your lunch to-morrow?" asked Lady Drakmanton reflectively. "Two o'clock," said Milly. "Good," said her sister; "the Smithly-Dubbs shall lunch with me to-morrow. It shall be rather an amusing lunch-party.
The restaurant received an enthusiastic recommendation from the three sisters. "Let's go and lunch there, shall we?" she suggested, and in a few minutes' time the Smithly-Dubb mind was contemplating at close quarters a happy vista of baked meats and approved vintage. "Are you going to start with caviare? I am," confided Lady Drakmanton, and the Smithly-Dubbs started with caviare.
"I consider that showing hospitality to the Smithly-Dubbs is carrying Free Food principles to a regrettable extreme," said Lady Drakmanton; "I've entertained the Joneses and the Browns and the Snapheimers and the Lubrikoffs, and heaps of others whose names I forget, but I don't see why I should inflict the society of the Misses Smithly-Dubb on myself for a solid hour.
The Smithly-Dubbs looked in the indicated direction, and the uneasiness in their eyes deepened into horror. In outward appearance the lady who had just entered the room certainly came rather nearer to their recollection of their Member's wife than the individual who was sitting at table with them. "Who are you, then, if that is Lady Drakmanton?" they asked in panic- stricken bewilderment.
And the next morning his eyes were gladdened by a sheet of copy-book paper lying beside the blank wall, on which was written the message "Un- Beast." "The Smithly-Dubbs are in Town," said Sir James. "I wish you would show them some attention. Ask them to lunch with you at the Ritz or somewhere."
I dare say. I'm afraid politics don't interest me very much," said Lady Drakmanton. The three Miss Smithly-Dubbs put down their cups of Turkish coffee and stared. Then they broke into protesting giggles. "Of course, you're joking," they said. "Not me," was the disconcerting answer; "I can't make head or tail of these bothering old politics. Never could, and never want to.
"From the little I've seen of the Smithly-Dubbs I don't thing I want to cultivate their acquaintance," said Lady Drakmanton. "They always work for us at election times," said her husband; "I don't suppose they influence very many votes, but they have an uncle who is on one of my ward committees, and another uncle speaks sometimes at some of our less important meetings.
Word Of The Day