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           EventuallyCarrie,likeagoodcreatureassheis,slippeddown,washeduptheteacups,andlaidthecloth,andIgaveFranchingourviewsofJapantolookatwhileIranroundtothebutcher’stogetthreechops.

           July30.—ThemiserablecoldweatheriseitherupsettingmeorCarrie,orboth.Weseemtobreakoutintoanargumentaboutabsolutelynothing,andthisunpleasantstateofthingsusuallyoccursatmeal-times.

           Thismorning,forsomeunaccountablereason,weweretalkingaboutballoons,andwewereasmerryaspossible;buttheconversationdriftedintofamilymatters,duringwhichCarrie,withouttheslightestreason,referredinthemostuncomplimentarymannertomypoorfather’specuniarytrouble.Iretortedbysayingthat“Pa,atallevents,wasagentleman,”whereuponCarrieburstoutcrying.Ipositivelycouldnoteatanybreakfast.

           AttheofficeIwassentforbyMr.Perkupp,whosaidhewasverysorry,butIshouldhavetotakemyannualholidaysfromnextSaturday.Franchingcalledatofficeandaskedmetodineathisclub,“TheConstitutional.”Fearingdisagreeablesathomeafterthe“tiff”thismorning,IsentatelegramtoCarrie,tellingherIwasgoingouttodineandshewasnottositup.BoughtalittlesilverbangleforCarrie.

           July31.—Carriewasverypleasedwiththebangle,whichIleftwithanaffectionatenoteonherdressing-tablelastnightbeforegoingtobed.ItoldCarrieweshouldhavetostartforourholidaynextSaturday.