Page 110 - Fairbrass

great pair of field-glasses (Old Malacca

Cane would tell you he once took them to
races) he has watched you children at play*

The glasses were never at his eyes for more
than two minutes at a time, though, for his

pockct-handkerchief so often took their
place.’

* Oh, how shocking I ’ said Fairbrass,
doing much active work with his own little

pocket-handkerchief. * How dreadful it is
that the two houses can’t be reconciled ! ’

* It wouldn’t take much to do it/ said
Pax ; i but the first advance would have to
come from your side/

‘ Oh, if I could only speak ! ’ cried Fair­

brass*
* Don’t trouble about that,’ said Pax.
‘ My own belief is that it's a good thing that

you can’t. Speaking means argument, and

in nine cases out of ten argument leads to
hot words, and, what is far worse, to bitter
feeling.1

1 B Lit what am I to do ? ’ asked poor
perplexed Fairbrass.