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The Inconsiderate Waiter
”
IwaspleasedtofindthatWilliam’stroubleswerenearanendwithoutmyhavingtointerfereinhisbehalf,andIthenrememberedthathewouldnotbeabletoseethegirlIrenefromthelibrarywindows,whichareatthebackoftheclub.Iwaslookingdownather,butsherefrainedfromsignallingbecauseshecouldnotseeWilliam,andirritatedbyherstupidityIwentoutandaskedherhowhermotherwas.
“My,”sheejaculatedafteralongscrutinyofme,“Ib’lieveyouareoneofthem!”andshegazedatmewithdelightedawe.IsupposeWilliamtellsthemofoursplendiddoings.
Theinvalid,itappeared,wasabitbetter,andthisannoyingchildwantedtoinformWilliamthatshehadtookallthetapiocar.ShewastoindicatethisbylickinganimaginaryplateinthemiddleofPallMall.Igavethelittlevulgarianashilling,andreturnedtotheclubdisgusted.
“Bytheway,William,”Isaid,“Mr.B——istoinformthecommitteethathewasmistakeninthinkingyouusedimproperlanguagetohim,soyouwilldoubtlessberestoredtothedining-roomto-morrow.”
Ihadtoaddimmediately,“Rememberyourplace,William.”
“ButMr.B——knowsIswore,”heinsisted.
“Agentleman,”Irepliedstiffly,“cannotrememberformanyhourswhatawaiterhassaidtohim.”
“No,sir,but—”
TostophimIhadtosay,“And—ah—William,yourwifeisdecidedlybetter.Shehaseatenthetapioca—allofit.”
“Howcanyouknow,sir?”
“Byanaccident.”
“Irenesignedtothewindow?”
“No.
