Chapter 20

           May10.—ReceivedaletterfromMr.Franching,ofPeckham,askingustodinewithhimto-night,atseveno’clock,tomeetMr.HardfurHuttle,averycleverwriterfortheAmericanpapers.Franchingapologisedfortheshortnotice;butsaidhehadatthelastmomentbeendisappointedoftwoofhisguestsandregardedusasoldfriendswhowouldnotmindfillingupthegap.Carrieratherdemurredattheinvitation;butIexplainedtoherthatFranchingwasverywelloffandinfluential,andwecouldnotaffordtooffendhim.“Andwearesuretogetagooddinnerandagoodglassofchampagne.”“Whichneveragreeswithyou!”Carriereplied,sharply.IregardedCarrie’sobservationasunsaid.Mr.Franchingaskedustowireareply.Ashehadsaidnothingaboutdressintheletter,Iwiredback:“Withpleasure.Isitfulldress?”andbyleavingoutourname,justgotthemessagewithinthesixpence.

           Gotbackearlytogivetimetodress,whichwereceivedatelegraminstructingustodo.IwantedCarrietomeetmeatFranching’shouse;butshewouldnotdoso,soIhadtogohometofetchher.WhatalongjourneyitisfromHollowaytoPeckham!Whydopeoplelivesuchalongwayoff?Havingtochange’buses,Iallowedplentyoftime—infact,toomuch;forwearrivedattwentyminutestoseven,andFranching,sotheservantsaid,hadonlyjustgoneuptodress.However,hewasdownastheclockstruckseven;hemusthavedressedveryquickly.