He was a teetotaler, you know, and he didn't smoke, and he was
always going to concerts. Oh, and he wore his hair long, and his
trousers short, and his hat on the back of his head. And his
umbrella--"
"Where did he wear that?"
"He carried that, Mr. Carter. Don't be silly! Carried it
unrolled, you know, and generally a paper parcel in the other
hand; and he had spectacles too."
"He has certainly changed, outwardly at least.
"Yes, I know; well, I did that. I took him in hand, and I just
taught him, and now--!"
"Yes, I know that. But how did you teach him? Give him Saturday
evening lectures, or what?"
"Oh, every-evening lectures, and most-morning walks. And I
taught him to dance, and broke his wretched fiddle with my own
hands!"
"What very arbitrary distinctions you draw!"
"I don't know that you mean. I do like a man to be smart,
anyhow. Don't you, Mr. Carter? You're not so smart as you might
be. Now, shall I take you in hand?" And she smiled upon me.
"Let's hear your method. What did you do to him.?"
"To Phil Meadows? Oh, nothing. I just slipped in a remark here
and there, whenever he talked nonsense. I used to speak just at
the right time, you know."
"But how had your words such influence, Miss Foster?"
"Oh, well, you know, Mr.
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