Белая птичка
The Inconsiderate Waiter
Ithinkshewasalittlesurprisedtofindthatbothoutfitswereforthesamehouse;andshecertainlybetrayedanignoblecuriosityaboutthemother’sChristianname,butshewasmucheasiertobrow-beatthanafineladywouldhavebeen,andIamsuresheandherdaughterenjoyedthemselveshugelyintheshops,fromoneofwhichIshallneverforgetIreneemergingproudlywithacommissionaire,whoconductedherunderanumbrellatothecabwhereIwaslyinginwait.IthinkthatwasthemostcelestialwalkofIrene’slife.
ItoldMrs.Hickingtogivethearticlesalittleactiveill-treatmentthattheymightnotlookquitenew,atwhichsheexclaimed,notbeinginmysecret,andthentoforwardthemtome.IthensentthemtoMaryandrejoicedinmydevilishcunningalltheevening,butchagrincameinthemorningwithaletterfromherwhichshowedsheknewall,thatIwasherMr.Anon,andthatthereneverhadbeenaTimothy.IthinkIwasneversogravelled.EvennowIdon’tknowhowshehadcontrivedit.
HerclevernessraisedsuchademoninmethatIlockedawayherletteratonceandhaveseldomreaditsince.Nomarriedladyshouldhaveinditedsuchanepistletoasingleman.Itsaid,withotherthingswhichIdeclinetorepeat,thatIwashergoodfairy.Asasampleofthedeliberatefalsehoodsinit,ImaymentionthatshesaidDavidlovedmealready.ShehopedthatIwouldcomeinoftentoseeherhusband,whowasveryproudofmyfriendship,andsuggestedthatIshouldpayhimmyfirstvisitto-dayatthreeo’clock,anhouratwhich,asIhappenedtoknow,heisalwaysawaygivingapainting-lesson
