So, of course, the detective, by holding up
the photograph of the back-view, saw the full-face reflected. The scar
showed just above the green veil, and consequently--"
At this point the boy returned with my change. The photographer had
locked himself into the dark room, and I could not get at him; the law
gives a man no redress under such circumstances, and so I came away.
I might have got over the story, perhaps; but my change, I found
afterwards, was sixpence short, and that is not so easy to forgive.
* * * * *
"ENTERTAINMENT."
["People of this high class (Royal Highnesses, &c.) are said
to 'entertain' visitors, but that is an inversion of the
actual fact; their object is to be entertained. And quite
right too. Nothing can surely be more delightful than to have
one's house full of friends at will, and then be able to turn
them out at a moment's notice (as a life-boat gets rid of
superfluous water) by that simple mechanism of a Chamberlain.
When the Social System attains its acme, all of us will have a
Chamberlain and be entertained."--JAMES PAYN.]
_Host_ (_concerning Guest_):--
The twenty-first day, and no signs of a budge!--
And it isn't for want of "suggestion."
I begin to suspect Hospitality's fudge,
Meaning--mutually ruined digestion!
He _is_ such a bore, and his wife is _so_ fat,
And as fond of her bed as a dormouse.
My girls say--in confidence--_she_ is a cat;
I'm sure he's a prig and a poor-mouse.
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