Chapter 4

           April30.—PerfectlyastoundedatreceivinganinvitationforCarrieandmyselffromtheLordandLadyMayoresstotheMansionHouse,to“meettheRepresentativesofTradesandCommerce.”Myheartbeatlikethatofaschoolboy’s.CarrieandIreadtheinvitationovertwoorthreetimes.Icouldscarcelyeatmybreakfast.Isaid—andIfeltitfromthebottomofmyheart—“Carriedarling,IwasaproudmanwhenIledyoudowntheaisleofthechurchonourwedding-day;thatpridewillbeequalled,ifnotsurpassed,whenIleadmydear,prettywifeuptotheLordandLadyMayoressattheMansionHouse.”IsawthetearsinCarrie’seyes,andshesaid:“Charliedear,itisIwhohavetobeproudofyou.AndIamvery,veryproudofyou.Youhavecalledmepretty;andaslongasIamprettyinyoureyes,Iamhappy.You,dearoldCharlie,arenothandsome,butyouaregood,whichisfarmorenoble.”Igaveherakiss,andshesaid:“Iwonderiftherewillbeanydancing?Ihavenotdancedwithyouforyears.”

           Icannottellwhatinducedmetodoit,butIseizedherroundthewaist,andweweresillyenoughtobeexecutingawildkindofpolkawhenSarahentered,grinning,andsaid:“Thereisaman,mum,atthedoorwhowantstoknowifyouwantanygoodcoals.”Mostannoyedatthis.Spenttheeveninginanswering,andtearingupagain,thereplytotheMansionHouse,havingleftwordwithSarahifGowingorCummingscalledwewerenotathome.MustconsultMr.PerkupphowtoanswertheLordMayor’sinvitation.

           May1.