The Girl on the Boat - Penn State University

“Yes,” said Sam, and returned to the silence once
more.
“<strong>The</strong> late Mr. Hignett had it put in. He was very fond
of music. It’s a thing you turn on by pressing a button
in the wall,” continued Sir Mallaby. “How you stop it,
I don’t know. When I was down there last it never
seemed to stop. You mustn’t miss the orchestrion!”
“I certainly shall,” said Mr. Bennett decidedly. “Music
of that description happens to be the one thing which
jars unendurably on my nerves. My nervous system is
thoroughly out of tune.”
“So is the orchestrion,” said Sir Mallaby. “I remember
once when I was down there ….”
“I hope you will come down there again, Sir
Mallaby,” said Mr. Mortimer, “during our occupancy
of the house. And you, too,” he said, addressing Sam.
“I am afraid,” said Sam frigidly, “that my time will
be very much occupied for the next few months. Thank
you very much,” he added, after a moment’s pause.
“Sam’s going to work,” said Sir Mallaby.
“Yes,” said Sam with dark determination. “Work is
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Girl</strong> on the Boat
102
the only thing in life that matters!”
“Oh, come, Sam!” said Sir Mallaby. “At your age I
used to think love was fairly important, too!”
“Love!” said Sam. He jabbed at his soufflé with a
spoon. You could see by the scornful way he did it that
he did not think much of love.
4
SIR MALLABY, the last cigar of the night between his lips,
broke a silence which had lasted a quarter of an hour.
<strong>The</strong> guests had gone, and he and Sam were alone together.
“Sam,” he said, “do you know what I think?”
“No,” said Sam.
Sir Mallaby removed his cigar and spoke impressively.
“I’ve been turning the whole thing over in my
mind, and the conclusion I have come to is that there
is more in this Windles business than meets the eye.
I’ve known your Aunt Adeline all my life, and I tell