The Girl on the Boat - Penn State University
The Girl on the Boat - Penn State University
The Girl on the Boat - Penn State University
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4<br />
EVEN INTO THE BLACKEST days <strong>the</strong>re generally creeps<br />
an occasi<strong>on</strong>al ray of sunshine, and <strong>the</strong>re are few crises<br />
of human gloom which are not lightened by a bit of<br />
luck. It was so with Mr. Bennett in his hour of travail.<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>The</str<strong>on</strong>g>re were lobsters for lunch, and his passi<strong>on</strong> for lobsters<br />
had made him <strong>the</strong> talk of three New York clubs.<br />
He was feeling a little happier when Billie came in to<br />
see how he was getting <strong>on</strong>.<br />
“Hullo, fa<strong>the</strong>r. Had a nice lunch?”<br />
“Yes,” said Mr. Bennett, cheering up a little at <strong>the</strong><br />
recollecti<strong>on</strong>. “<str<strong>on</strong>g>The</str<strong>on</strong>g>re was nothing wr<strong>on</strong>g with <strong>the</strong> lunch.”<br />
How little we fallible mortals know! Even as he spoke,<br />
a tiny fragment of lobster shell, which had been working<br />
its way silently into <strong>the</strong> tip of his t<strong>on</strong>gue, was settling<br />
down under <strong>the</strong> skin and getting ready to cause<br />
him <strong>the</strong> most acute mental distress which he had ever<br />
known.<br />
P. G. Wodehouse<br />
113<br />
“<str<strong>on</strong>g>The</str<strong>on</strong>g> lunch,” said Mr. Bennett, “was excellent. Lobsters!”<br />
He licked his lips appreciatively.<br />
“And, talking of lobsters,” he went <strong>on</strong>, “I suppose<br />
that boy Bream has told you that I have broken off<br />
your engagement?”<br />
“Yes.”<br />
“You d<strong>on</strong>’t seem very upset,” said Mr. Bennett, who<br />
was in <strong>the</strong> mood for a dramatic scene and felt a little<br />
disappointed.<br />
“Oh, I’ve become a fatalist <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> subject of my engagements.”<br />
“I d<strong>on</strong>’t understand you.”<br />
“Well, I mean, <strong>the</strong>y never seem to come to anything.”<br />
Billie gazed wistfully at <strong>the</strong> counterpane. “Do you know,<br />
fa<strong>the</strong>r, I’m beginning to think that I’m ra<strong>the</strong>r impulsive.<br />
I wish I didn’t do silly things in such a hurry.”<br />
“I d<strong>on</strong>’t see where <strong>the</strong> hurry comes in as regards that<br />
Mortimer boy. You took ten years to make up your mind.”<br />
“I was not thinking of Bream. Ano<strong>the</strong>r man.”<br />
“Great Heavens! Are you still imagining yourself in<br />
love with young Hignett?”