ByJEROMEK。JEROME
\"Idomeanit，\"declaredMrs。Korner，\"Ilikeamantobeaman。\"
\"ButyouwouldnotlikeChristopher——ImeanMr。Korner——tobethatsortofman，\"suggestedherbosomfriend。
\"Idon’tmeanthatIshouldlikeitifhediditoften。ButIshouldliketofeelthathewasabletobethatsortofman。——Haveyoutoldyourmasterthatbreakfastisready？\"demandedMrs。Kornerofthedomesticstaff，enteringatthemomentwiththreeboiledeggsandateapot。
\"Yus，I’vetold’im，\"repliedthestaffindignantly。
ThedomesticstaffatAcaciaVilla，RavenscourtPark，livedinastateofindignation。Itcouldbeheardofmorningsandeveningssayingitsprayersindignantly。
\"Whatdidhesay？\"
\"Said’e’11bedownthemoment’e’sdressed。\"
\"Nobodywantshimtocomebefore，\"commentedMrs。Korner。\"AnsweredmethathewasputtingonhiscollarwhenIcalleduptohimfiveminutesago。\"
\"Answeryerthesamethingnow，ifyercalledupto’imagen，I
’spect，\"wastheopinionofthestaff。\"Wason’is’andsandkneeswhenIlookedin，scoopingroundunderthebedfor’iscollarstud。\"
Mrs。Kornerpausedwiththeteapotinherhand。\"Washetalking？\"
\"Talkin’？Nobodytheretotalkto；I慳dn’tgotnotimetostopandchatter。\"
\"Imeantohimself，\"explainedMrs。Korner。\"He——hewasn’tswearing？\"
Therewasanoteofeagerness，almostofhope，inMrs。Korner’svoice。
\"Swearin’！’E！Why，’edon’tknowany。\"
\"Thankyou，\"saidMrs。Korner。\"Thatwilldo，Harriet；youmaygo。\"
MrsKornerputdowntheteapotwithabang。\"Theverygirl，\"saidMrs。Kornerbitterly，\"theverygirldespiseshim。\"
\"Perhaps，\"suggestedMissGreene，\"hehadbeenswearingandhadfinished。\"
ButMrs。Kornerwasnottobecomforted。\"Finished！Anyothermanwouldhavebeenswearingallthetime。\"
\"Perhaps，\"suggestedthekindlybosomfriend，evertheonetopleadthecauseofthetransgressor，\"perhapshewasswearing，andshedidnothearhim。Yousee，ifhehadhisheadwellunderneaththebed——\"
Thedooropened。
\"SorryIamlate，\"saidMr。Korner，burstingcheerfullyintotheroom。
ItwasapointwithMr。Korneralwaystobecheerfulinthemorning。
\"Greetthedaywithasmileanditwillleaveyouwithablessing，\"
wasthemottoMrs。Korner，thisdayamarriedwomanofsixmonthsandthreeweeksstandinghadheardherhusbandmurmurbeforegettingoutofbedonpreciselytwohundredandtwooccasions。TheMottoenteredlargelyintotheschemeofMr。Korner’slife。Writteninfinecopperplateuponcardsallofthesamesize，achoiceselectioncounselledhimeachmorningfromtherimofhisshaving—glass。
\"Didyoufindit？\"askedMrs。Korner。
\"Itismostextraordinary，\"repliedMr。Korner，asheseatedhimselfatthebreakfast—table。\"Isawitgounderthebedwithmyowneyes。
Perhaps——\"
\"Don’taskmetolookforit，\"interruptedMrs。Korner。\"Crawlingaboutontheirhandsandknees，knockingtheirheadsagainstironbedsteads，wouldbeenoughtomakesomepeopleswear。\"Theemphasiswasonthe\"some。\"
\"Itisnotbadtrainingforthecharacter，\"hintedMr。Korner，\"occasionallytoforceoneselftoperformpatientlytaskscalculated——\"
\"Ifyougettiedupinoneofthoselongsentencesofyours，youwillnevergetoutintimetoeatyourbreakfast，\"wasthefearofMrs。
Korner。
\"Ishouldbesorryforanythingtohappentoit，\"remarkedMr。Korner，\"itsintrinsicvaluemayperhaps——\"
\"Iwilllookforitafterbreakfast，\"volunteeredtheamiableMissGreene。\"Iamgoodatfindingthings。\"
\"Icanwellbelieveit，\"thegallantMr。Kornerassuredher，aswiththehandleofhisspoonhepeeledhisegg。\"Fromsuchbrighteyesasyours，few——\"
\"You’veonlygottenminutes，\"hiswiferemindedhim。\"Dogetonwithyourbreakfast。\"
\"Ishouldlike，\"saidMr。Korner，\"tofinishaspeechoccasionally。\"
\"Youneverwould，\"assertedMrs。Korner。
\"Ishouldliketotry，\"sighedMr。Korner，\"oneofthesedays——\"
\"Howdidyousleep，dear？Iforgottoaskyou，\"questionedMrs。
Kornerofthebosomfriend。
\"Iamalwaysrestlessinastrangebedthefirstnight，\"explainedMissGreene。\"Idaresay，too，Iwasalittleexcited。\"
\"Icouldhavewished，\"saidMr。Korner，\"ithadbeenabetterexampleofthedelightfulartofthedramatist。Whenonegoesbutseldomtothetheatre——\"
\"Onewantstoenjoyoneself\"interruptedMrs。Korner。
\"Ireallydonotthink，\"saidthebosomfriend，\"thatIhaveeverlaughedsomuchinallmylife。\"
\"Itwasamusing。Ilaughedmyself，\"admittedMr。Korner。\"AtthesametimeIcannothelpthinkingthattotreatdrunkennessasatheme——\"
\"Hewasn’tdrunk，\"arguedMrs。Korner，\"hewasjustjovial。\"
\"Mydear！\"Mr。KornerCorrectedher，\"hesimplycouldn’tstand。\"
\"Hewasmuchmoreamusingthansomepeoplewhocan，\"retortedMrs。
Korner。
\"Itispossible，mydearAimee，\"herhusbandpointedouttoher，\"foramantobeamusingwithoutbeingdrunk；alsoforamantobedrunkwithout——\"
\"Oh，amanisallthebetter，\"declaredMrs。Korner，\"forlettinghimselfgooccasionally。\"
\"Mydear——\"
\"You，Christopher，wouldbeallthebetterforlettingyourselfgo——occasionally。\"
\"Iwish，\"saidMr。Korner，ashepassedhisemptycup，\"youwouldnotsaythingsyoudonotmean。Anyonehearingyou——\"
\"Ifthere’sonethingmakesmemoreangrythananother，\"saidMrs。
Korner，\"itisbeingtoldIsaythingsthatIdonotmean。\"
\"Whysaythemthen？\"suggestedMr。Korner。
\"Idon’t。Ido——ImeanIdomeanthem，\"explainedMrs。Korner。
\"Youcanhardlymean，mydear，\"persistedherhusband，\"thatyoureallythinkIshouldbeallthebetterforgettingdrunk——evenoccasionally。\"
\"Ididn’tsaydrunk；Isaid’goingit。’\"
\"ButIdo’goit’inmoderation，\"pleadedMr。Korner，\"’Moderationinallthings，’thatismymotto。\"
\"Iknowit，\"returnedMrs。Korner。
\"Alittleofeverythingandnothing——\"thistimeMr。Kornerinterruptedhimself。\"Ifear，\"saidMr。Korner，rising，\"wemustpostponethefurtherdiscussionofthisinterestingtopic。Ifyouwouldnotmindsteppingoutwithmeintothepassage，dear，thereareoneortwolittlemattersconnectedwiththehouse——\"
Hostandhostesssqueezedpastthevisitorandclosedthedoorbehindthem。Thevisitorcontinuedeating。
\"Idomeanit，\"repeatedMrs。Korner，forthethirdtime，reseatingherselfaminutelateratthetable。\"Iwouldgiveanything——anything，\"reiteratedtheladyrecklessly，\"toseeChristophermoreliketheordinarysortofman。\"
\"Buthehasalwaysbeenthesort——thesortofmanheis，\"herbosomfriendremindedher。
\"Oh，duringtheengagement，ofcourse，oneexpectsamantobeperfect。Ididn’tthinkhewasgoingtokeepitup。\"
\"Heseemstome，\"saidMissGreene，\"adear，goodfellow。Youareoneofthosepeoplewhoneverknowwhentheyarewelloff。\"
\"Iknowheisagoodfellow，\"agreedMrs。Korner，\"andIamveryfondofhim。ItisjustbecauseIamfondofhimthatIhatefeelingashamedofhim。Iwanthimtobeamanlyman，todothethingsthatothermendo。\"
\"Doalltheordinarysortofmenswearandgetoccasionallydrunk？\"
\"Ofcoursetheydo，\"assertedMrs。Korner，inatoneofauthority。
\"Onedoesnotwantamantobeamilksop。\"
\"Haveyoueverseenadrunkenman？\"inquiredthebosomfriend，whowasnibblingsugar。
\"Heaps，\"repliedMrs。Korner，whowassuckingmarmaladeoffherfingers。
BywhichMrs。Kornermeantthatsomehalfadozentimesinherlifeshehadvisitedtheplay，choosingbypreferencethelighterformofBritishdrama。Thefirsttimeshewitnessedtherealthing，whichhappenedjustpreciselyamonthlater，longaftertheconversationhererecordedhadbeenforgottenbythepartiesmostconcerned，noonecouldhavebeenmoreutterlyastonishedthanwasMrs。Korner。
HowitcameaboutMr。Kornerwasneverabletofullysatisfyhimself。
Mr。Kornerwasnotthetypethatservesthepurposeofthetemperancelecturer。His\"firstglass\"hehaddrunkmoreyearsagothanhecouldrecollect，andsincehadtastedthevariedcontentsofmanyothers。
ButneverbeforehadMr。Kornerexceeded，norbeentemptedtoexceed，thelimitsofhisfavouritevirtue，moderation。
\"Wehadonebottleofclaretbetweenus，\"Mr。Kornerwouldoftenrecalltohismind，\"ofwhichhedrankthegreaterpart。Andthenhebroughtoutthelittlegreenflask。Hesaiditwasmadefrompears——thatinPerutheykeptitspeciallyforChildren’sparties。Ofcourse，thatmayhavebeenhisjoke；butinanycaseIcannotseehowjustoneglass——IwondercouldIhavetakenmorethanoneglasswhilehewastalking。\"ItwasapointthatworriedMr。Korner。
The\"he\"whohadtalked，possibly，tosuchbadeffectwasadistantcousinofMr。Korner’s，oneBillDamon，chiefmateofthesteamship_LaFortuna_。UntiltheirchancemeetingthatafternooninLeadenhallStreet，theyhadnotseeneachothersincetheywereboystogether。
The_Fortuna_wasleavingSt。Katherine’sDocksearlythenextmorningboundforSouthAmerica，anditmightbeyearsbeforetheymetagain。
AsMr。Damonpointedout，Fate，bythusthrowingthemintoeachother’sarms，clearlyintendedtheyshouldhaveacosydinnertogetherthatveryeveninginthecaptain’scabinofthe_Fortuna_。
Mr。Korner，returningtotheoffice，despatchedtoRavenscourtParkanexpressletter，announcingthestrangenewsthathemightnotbehomethateveningmuchbeforeten，andathalf—pastsix，forthefirsttimesincehismarriage，directedhisstepsawayfromhomeandMrs。Korner。
Thetwofriendstalkedofmanythings。Andlaterontheyspokeofsweetheartsandofwives。MateDamon’sexperienceshadapparentlybeenwideandvaried。Theytalked——or，rather，thematetalked，andMr。Kornerlistened——oftheolive—tintedbeautiesoftheSpanishMain，ofthedark—eyedpassionatecreoles，oftheblondJunosoftheCalifornianvalleys。Thematehadtheoriesconcerningthecareandmanagementofwomen：theoriesthat，ifthemate’swordcouldbereliedupon，hadstoodthetestofstudiedapplication。AnewworldopenedouttoMr。Korner；aworldwherelovelywomenworshippedwithdoglikedevotionmenwho，thoughlovingtheminreturn，knewhowtobetheirmasters。Mr。Korner，warmedgraduallyfromcolddisapprovaltobubblingappreciation，satentranced。Timealonesetalimittotherecitalofthemate’sadventures。Ateleveno’clockthecookremindedthemthatthecaptainandthepilotmightbeaboardatanymoment。
Mr。Korner，surprisedatthelatenessofthehour，tookalongandtenderfarewellofhiscousin，andfoundSt。Katherine’sDocksoneofthemostbewilderingplacesoutofwhichhehadevertriedtoescape。
Underalamp—postintheMinories，itsuddenlyoccurredtoMr。Kornerthathewasanunappreciatedman。Mrs。KornerneversaidanddidthesortofthingsbymeansofwhichthebeautiesoftheSouthernMainendeavouredfeeblytoexpresstheirconsumingpassionforgentlemensuperiorinnoway——asfarashecouldsee——toMr。Kornerhimself。
ThinkingoverthesortofthingsMrs。Kornerdidsayanddiddo，tearssprungintoMr。Korner’seyes。Noticingthatapolicemanwaseyeinghimwithcuriosity，hedashedthemasideandhurriedon。PacingtheplatformoftheMansionHouseStation，whereitisalwaysdraughty，thethoughtofhiswrongsreturnedtohimwithrenewedforce。WhywastherenotraceofdoglikedevotionaboutMrs。Korner？Thefault——sohebitterlytoldhimself——thefaultwashis。\"Awomanloveshermaster；itisherinstinct，\"musedMr。Kornertohimself。\"Damme，\"
thoughtMr。Korner，\"Idon’tbelievethathalfhertimesheknowsIamhermaster。\"
\"Goaway，\"saidMr。Kornertoayouthofpastyappearancewho，withopenmouth，hadstoppedimmediatelyinfrontofhim。
\"I’mfondo’listening，\"explainedthepastyyouth。
\"Who’stalking？\"demandedMr。Korner。
\"Youare，\"repliedthepastyyouth。
ItisalongjourneyfromthecitytoRavenscourtPark，butthetaskofplanningoutthefuturelifeofMrs。KornerandhimselfkeptMr。
Kornerwideawakeandinterested。Whenhegotoutofthetrainthethingchieflytroublinghimwasthethree—quartersofamileofmuddyroadstretchingbetweenhimandhisdeterminationtomakethingscleartoMrs。Kornerthenandthere。
ThesightofAcaciaVilla，suggestingthateverybodywasinbedandasleep，servedtofurtherirritatehim。Adog—likewifewouldhavebeensittinguptoseeiftherewasanythinghewanted。Mr。Korner，actingontheadviceofhisownbrassplate，notonlyknockedbutalsorang。Asthedoordidnotimmediatelyflyopen，hecontinuedtoknockandring。Thewindowofthebestbedroomonthefirstflooropened。
\"Isthatyou？\"saidthevoiceofMrs。Korner。Therewas，asithappened，adistinctsuggestionofpassioninMrs。Korner’svoice，butnotofthepassionMr。Kornerwaswishfultoinspire。Itmadehimalittlemoreangrythanhewasbefore。
\"Don’tyoutalktomewithyourheadoutofthewindowasifthiswereagallantyshow。Youcomedownandopenthedoor，\"commandedMr。
Korner。
\"Haven’tyougotyourlatchkey？\"demandedMrs。Korner。
ForanswerMr。Kornerattackedthedooragain。Thewindowclosed。
Thenextmomentbutsixorseven，thedoorwasopenedwithsuchsuddennessthatMr。Korner，stillgrippingtheknocker，wasborneinwardinaflyingattitude。Mrs。Kornerhaddescendedthestairsreadywithafewremarks。ShehadnotanticipatedthatMr。Korner，usuallyslowofspeech，couldbeevenreadier。
\"Where’smysupper？\"indignantlydemandedMr。Korner，stillsupportedbytheknocker。
Mrs。Korner，tooastonishedforwords，simplystared。
\"Where’smysupper？\"repeatedMr。Korner，bythistimeworkedupintogenuineastonishmentthatitwasnotreadyforhim。\"What’severybodymean，goingofftobed，whenthemasterororoushasn’thadhissupper？\"
\"Isanythingthematter，dear？\"washeardthevoiceofMissGreene，speakingfromtheneighbourhoodofthefirstlanding。
\"Comein，Christopher，\"pleadedMrs。Korner，\"pleasecomein，andletmeshutthedoor。\"
Mrs。Kornerwasthetypeofyoungladyfondofdomineeringwithanotun—gracefulhauteuroverthoseaccustomedtoyieldreadilytoher；itisatypethatiseasilyfrightened。
\"Iwan’grilledkinneys—on—toast，\"explainedMr。Korner，exchangingtheknockerforthehat—stand，andwishingthenextmomentthathehadnot。\"Don’let’s’avareytalkaboutit。Unnerstan’？Idowan’anytalkaboutit。\"
\"WhatonearthamItodo？\"whisperedtheterrifiedMrs。Kornertoherbosomfriend，\"thereisn’takidneyinthehouse。\"
\"Ishouldpoachhimacoupleofeggs，\"suggestedthehelpfulbosomfriend；\"putplentyofCayennepepperonthem。Verylikelyhewon’tremember。\"
Mr。Kornerallowedhimselftobepersuadedintothedining—room，whichwasalsothebreakfastparlourandthelibrary。Thetwoladies，joinedbythehastilycladstaff，whosechronicindignationseemedtohavevanishedinfaceofthefirstexcuseforitthatAcaciaVillahadaffordedher，madehastetolightthekitchenfire。
\"Ishouldneverhavebelievedit，\"whisperedthewhite—facedMrs。
Korner，\"never。\"
\"Makesyerknowthere’samanaboutthe’ouse，don’tit？\"chirpedthedelightedstaff。Mrs。Korner，foranswer，boxedthegirl’sears；itrelievedherfeelingstoaslightextent。
Thestaffretaineditsequanimity，buttheoperationsofMrs。KornerandherbosomfriendwereretardedratherthanassistedbythevoiceofMr。Korner，heardeveryquarterofaminute，roaringoutfreshdirections。
\"Idarenotgoinalone，\"saidMrs。Korner，whenallthingswereinorderonthetray。Sothebosomfriendfollowedher，andthestaffbroughtuptherear。
\"What’sthis？\"frownedMr。Korner。\"Itoldyouchops。\"
\"I’msosorry，dear，\"falteredMrs。Korner，\"butthereweren’tanyinthehouse。\"
\"Inaperfectlyorganizedouse，suchasforthefutureImeanterave，\"
continuedMr。Korner，helpinghimselftobeer，\"thereshouldalwaysbechopanteak。Unnerstanme？chopanteak！\"
\"I’lltryandremember，dear，\"saidMrs。Korner。
\"Pearsterme，\"saidMr。Korner，betweenmouthfuls，\"you’renorrersortofhousekeeperIwant。\"
\"I’lltrytobe，dear，\"pleadedMrs。Korner。
\"Where’syourbooks？\"Mr。Kornersuddenlydemanded。
\"Mybooks？\"repeatedMrs。Korner，inastonishment。
Mr。Kornerstruckthecornerofthetablewithhisfist，whichmademostthingsintheroom，includingMrs。Korner，jump。
\"Don’tyoudefyme，mygirl，\"saidMr。Korner。\"Youknowwhatermean，yourhousekeepin’books。\"
Theyhappenedtobeinthedrawerofthechiffonier。Mrs。Kornerproducedthem，andpassedthemtoherhusbandwithatremblinghand。
Mr。Korner，openingonebyhazard，bentoveritwithknittedbrows。
\"Pearsterme，mygirl，youcan’tadd，\"saidMr。Korner。
\"I——Iwasalwaysconsideredrathergoodatarithmetic，asagirl，\"
stammeredMrs。Korner。
\"Whatyoumayabeenasagirl，andwhat——twenner—sevenandnine？\"
fiercelyquestionedMr。Korner。
\"Thirty—eight——seven，\"commencedtoblundertheterrifiedMrs。Korner。
\"Knowyourninetablesordon’tyou？\"thunderedMr。Korner。
\"Iusedto，\"sobbedMrs。Korner。
\"Sayit，\"commandedMr。Korner。
\"Ninetimesonearenine，\"sobbedthepoorlittlewoman，\"ninetimestwo——\"
\"Goron，\"saidMr。Kornersternly。
Shewentonsteadily，inalowmonotone，brokenbystifledsobs。Thedrearyrhythmoftherepetitionmaypossiblyhaveassisted。Asshementionedfearfullythatninetimeselevenwereninety—nine，MissGreenepointedstealthilytowardthetable。Mrs。Korner，glancingupfearfully，sawthattheeyesofherlordandmasterwereclosed；heardtherisingsnorethatissuedfromhishead，restingbetweentheemptybeer—jugandthecruetstand。
\"Hewillbeallright，\"counselledMissGreene。\"Yougotobedandlockyourselfin。HarrietandIwillseetohisbreakfastinthemorning。Itwillbejustaswellforyoutobeoutoftheway。\"
AndMrs。Korner，onlytoothankfulforsomeonetotellherwhattodo，obeyedinallthings。
Towardseveno’clockthesunlightstreamingintotheroomcausedMr。
Kornerfirsttoblink，thenyawn，thenopenhalfaneye。
\"Greetthedaywithasmile，\"murmuredMr。Korner，sleepily，\"anditwill——\"
Mr。Kornersatupsuddenlyandlookedabouthim。Thiswasnotbed。
Thefragmentsofajugandglasslayscatteredroundhisfeet。Tothetableclothanoverturnedcruet—standmingledwithegggavecolour。A
tinglingsensationabouthisheadcalledforinvestigation。Mr。
Kornerwasforcedtotheconclusionthatsomebodyhadbeentryingtomakeasaladofhim——somebodywithanexceptionallyheavyhandformustard。AsounddirectedMr。Korner’sattentiontothedoor。
ThefaceofMissGreene，portentouslygrave，waspeepingthroughthejar。
Mr。Kornerrose。MissGreeneenteredstealthily，and，closingthedoor，stoodwithherbackagainstit。
\"Isupposeyouknowwhat——whatyou’vedone？\"suggestedMissGreene，Shespokeinasepulchraltone；itchilledpoorMr。Kornertothebone。
\"Itisbeginningtocomebacktome，butnot——notveryclearly，\"
admittedMr。Korner。
\"Youcamehomedrunk——verydrunk，\"MissGreeneinformedhim，\"attwoo’clockinthemorning。Thenoiseyoumademusthaveawakenedhalfthestreet。\"
Agroanescapedfromhisparchedlips。
\"YouinsisteduponAimeecookingyouahotsupper。\"
\"Iinsisted！\"Mr。Kornerglanceddownuponthetable。\"And——andshedidit！\"
\"Youwereveryviolent，\"explainedMissGreene；\"wewereterrifiedatyou，allthreeofus。\"Regardingthepatheticobjectinfrontofher，MissGreenefounditdifficulttorecollectthatafewhoursbeforeshereallyhadbeenfrightenedofit。Senseofdutyalonerestrainedherpresentinclinationtolaugh。
\"Whileyousatthere，eatingyoursupper，\"continuedMissGreeneremorselessly，\"youmadeherbringyouherbooks。\"
Mr。Kornerhadpassedthestagewhenanythingcouldastonishhim。
\"Youlecturedheraboutherhousekeeping。\"TherewasatwinkleintheeyeofMrs。Korner’sbosomfriend。ButlightningcouldhaveflashedbeforeMr。Korner’seyeswithouthisnoticingitjustthen。
\"Youtoldherthatshecouldnotadd，andyoumadehersayhertables。\"
\"Imadeher——\"Mr。Kornerspokeintheemotionlesstonesofonemerelydesiringinformation。\"ImadeAimeesayhertables？\"
\"Herninetimes，\"noddedMissGreene。
Mr。Kornersatdownuponhischairandstaredwithstonyeyesintothefuture。
\"What’stobedone？\"saidMr。Korner，\"she’llneverforgiveme；Iknowher。Youarenotchaffingme？\"hecriedwithamomentarygleamofhope。\"Ireallydidit？\"
\"Yousatinthatverychairwhereyouaresittingnowandatepoachedeggs，whileshestoodoppositetoyouandsaidherninetimestable。
Attheendofit，seeingyouhadgonetosleepyourself，Ipersuadedhertogotobed。Itwasthreeo’clock，andwethoughtyouwouldnotmind。\"MissGreenedrewupachair，and，withherelbowsonthetable，lookedacrossatMr。Korner。DecidedlytherewasatwinkleintheeyesofMrs。Korner’sbosomfriend。
\"You’llneverdoitagain，\"suggestedMissGreene。
\"Doyouthinkitpossible，\"criedMr。Korner，\"thatshemayforgiveme？\"
\"No，Idon’t，\"repliedMissGreene。AtwhichMr。Korner’sfacefellbacktozero。\"Ithinkthebestwayoutwillbeforyoutoforgiveher。\"
Theideadidnotevenamusehim。MissGreeneglancedroundtosatisfyherselfthatthedoorwasstillclosed，andlistenedamomenttoassureherselfofthesilence。
\"Don’tyouremember，\"MissGreenetooktheextraprecautiontowhisperit，\"thetalkwehadatbreakfast—timethefirstmorningofmyvisit，whenAimeesaidyouwouldbeallthebetterfor’goingit’
occasionally？\"
Yes，slowlyitcamebacktoMr。Korner。Butsheonlysaid\"goingit，\"
Mr。Kornerrecollectedtohisdismay。
\"Well，you’vebeen’goingit，’\"persistedMissGreene。\"Besides，shedidnotmean’goingit。’Shemeanttherealthing，onlyshedidnotliketosaytheword。Wetalkedaboutitafteryouhadgone。Shesaidshewouldgiveanythingtoseeyoumoreliketheordinaryman。
Andthatisherideaoftheordinaryman。\"
Mr。Korner’ssluggishnessofcomprehensionirritatedMissGreene。Sheleanedacrossthetableandshookhim。\"Don’tyouunderstand？Youhavedoneitonpurposetoteachheralesson。Itisshewhohasgottoaskyoutoforgiveher。\"
\"Youthink——？\"
\"Ithink，ifyoumanageitproperly，itwillbethebestday’sworkyouhaveeverdone。Getoutofthehousebeforeshewakes。Ishallsaynothingtoher。Indeed，Ishallnothavethetime；Imustcatchtheteno’clockfromPaddington。Whenyoucomehomethisevening，youtalkfirst；that’swhatyou’vegottodo。\"AndMr。Korner，inhisexcitement，kissedthebosomfriendbeforeheknewwhathehaddone。
Mrs。Kornersatwaitingforherhusbandthateveninginthedrawing—room。Shewasdressedasforajourney，andaboutthecornersofhermouthwerelinesfamiliartoChristopher，thesightofwhichsenthisheartintohisboots。Fortunately，herecoveredhimselfintimetogreetherwithasmile。Itwasnotthesmilehehadbeenrehearsinghalftheday，butthatitwasasmileofanysortastonishedthewordsawayfromMrs。Korner’slips，andgavehimtheinestimableadvantageoffirstspeech。
\"Well，\"saidMr。Kornercheerily，\"andhowdidyoulikeit？\"
ForthemomentMrs。Kornerfearedherhusband’snewcomplainthadalreadyreachedthechronicstage，buthisstillsmilingfacereassuredher——tothatextentatallevents。
\"Whenwouldyoulikemeto’goit’again？Oh，come，\"continuedMr。
Kornerinresponsetohiswife’sbewilderment，\"yousurelyhavenotforgottenthetalkwehadatbreakfast—time——thefirstmorningofMildred’svisit。YouhintedhowmuchmoreattractiveIshouldbeforoccasionally’lettingmyselfgo！’\"
Mr。Korner，watchingintently，perceivedthatuponMrs。Kornerrecollectionwasslowlyforcingitself。
\"Iwasunabletoobligeyoubefore，\"explainedMr。Korner，\"havingtokeepmyheadclearforbusiness，andnotknowingwhattheeffectupononemightbe。YesterdayIdidmybest，andIhopeyouarepleasedwithme。Though，ifyoucouldseeyourwaytobeingcontent——justforthepresentanduntilIgetmoreusedtoit——withasimilarperformancenotoftenerthanonceafortnight，say，Ishouldbegrateful，\"addedMr。Korner。
\"Youmean——\"saidMrs。Korner，rising。
\"Imean，mydear，\"saidMr。Korner，\"thatalmostfromthedayofourmarriageyouhavemadeitclearthatyouregardmeasamilksop。Youhavegotyournotionofmenfromsillybooksandsillierplays，andyourtroubleisthatIamnotlikethem。Well，I’veshownyouthat，ifyouinsistuponit，Icanbelikethem。\"
\"Butyouweren’t，\"arguedMrs。Korner，\"notabitlikethem。\"
\"Ididmybest，\"repeatedMr。Korner；\"wearenotallmadealike。
Thatwas_my_drunk。\"
\"Ididn’tsay’drunk。’\"
\"Butyoumeantit，\"interruptedMr。Korner。\"Weweretalkingaboutdrunkenmen。Themanintheplaywasdrunk。Youthoughthimamusing。\"
\"Hewasamusing，\"persistedMrs。Korner，nowintears。\"Imeantthatsortofdrunk。\"
\"Hiswife，\"Mr。Kornerremindedher，\"didn’tfindhimamusing。Inthethirdactshewasthreateningtoreturnhometohermother，which，ifImayjudgefromfindingyouherewithallyourclotheson，isalsotheideathathasoccurredtoyou。\"
\"Butyou——youweresoawful，\"whimperedMrs。Korner。
\"WhatdidIdo？\"questionedMr。Korner。
\"Youcamehammeringatthedoor——\"
\"Yes，yes，Irememberthat。Iwantedmysupper，andyoupoachedmeacoupleofeggs。Whathappenedafterthat？\"
Therecollectionofthatcrowningindignitylenttohervoicethetruenoteoftragedy。
\"Youmademesaymytables——myninetimes！\"
Mr。KornerlookedatMrs。Korner，andMrs。KornerlookedatMr。
Korner，andforawhiletherewassilence。
\"Wereyou——wereyoureallyalittlebiton，\"falteredMrs。Korner，\"oronlypretending？\"
\"Really，\"confessedMr。Korner。\"Forthefirsttimeinmylife。Ifyouarecontent，forthelasttimealso。\"
\"Iamsorry，\"saidMrs。Korner，\"Ihavebeenverysilly。Pleaseforgiveme。\"