To this he did not object; Miss Kenby was kind as well as
beautiful; and Larcher was not unwilling to show the tyrannical Edna
that he could play the cavalier to one pretty girl as well as to another.
He did not, however, manage to disturb her serenity at all during the
afternoon. The three returned, very merry, to the flat, in a state of the
utmost readiness for afternoon tea, for the day was cold and blowy. To
make things pleasanter, Aunt Clara had finished her tea and was taking a
nap. The three young people had the drawing-room, with its bright coal
fire, to themselves.
Everything was trim and elegant in this flat. The clear-skinned maid who
placed the tea things, and brought the muffins and cake, might have been
transported that instant from Mayfair, on a magic carpet, so neat was
her black dress, so spotless her white apron, cap, and cuffs, so clean
her slender hands.
"What a sweet place you have, Edna," remarked Florence Kenby, looking
around.
"So you've often said before, dear. And whenever you choose to make it
sweeter, for good, you've only got to move in."
Florence laughed, but with something very like a sigh.
"What, are you willing to take boarders?" said Larcher. "If that's the
case, put me down as the first applicant."
"Our capacity for 'paying guests' is strictly limited to one person, and
no gentlemen need apply. Two lumps, Flo dear?"
"Yes, please.--If only your restrictions didn't keep out poor father--"
"If only your poor father would consider your happiness instead of his
own selfish plans.
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