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“Yes, I used it every day, Jane,” answered Mrs. Tower glibly.
“Unfortunately we had an accident with it a little while ago. It got
burnt.”
“But the last one I gave you got burnt.”
“I’m afraid you’ll think us very careless.”
“It doesn’t really matter,” smiled Mrs. Fowler. “I shall enjoy
making you another. I’ll go to Liberty’s tomorrow and buy some
silks.”
Mrs. Tower kept her face bravely.
“I don’t deserve it, you know. Doesn’t your vicar’s wife need
one?”
“Oh, I’ve just made her one,” said Mrs. Fowler brightly.
I noticed that when she smiled she showed white, small, and
regular teeth. They were a real beauty. Her smile was certainly very
sweet.
But I felt it high time for me to leave the two ladies to
themselves, so I took my leave.
Early next morning Mrs. Tower rang me up, and I heard at once
from her voice that she was in high spirits.
“I’ve got the most wonderful news for you,” she said. “Jane is
going to be married.”
“Nonsense.”
“Her fiance is coming to dine here tonight to be introduced to
me, and I want you to come too.”
“Oh, but I shall be in the way.”
“No, you won’t. Jane suggested herself that I should ask you.
Do come.”
She was bubbling over with laughter.
“Who is he?”
“I don’t know. She tells me he’s an architect. Can you imagine
the sort of man Jane would marry?”
I had nothing to do and I could trust Mrs. Tower to give me a
good dinner.
When I arrived Mrs. Tower, very splendid in a tea-gown a little
too young for her, was alone.
“Jane is putting the finishing touches to her appearance. I’m
longing for you to see her. She’s all in a flutter. She says he adores
her. His name is Gilbert and when she speaks of him her voice gets
all funny and tremulous. It makes me want to laugh.”