Such heavenly sweetness on the part of a forbearing wife would have softened Tamburlane. Poole’s sullen brow relaxed. If women knew how to treat men, not a husband, unhenpecked, would be found from Indos to the Pole.
And Poole, for all his surly demeanour, was as completely governed by that angel as a bear by his keeper.
“Well, Mrs. Poole, excuse me. I own I am out of sorts to-day—give me little Johnny—there (kissing the infant; who in return makes a dig at Pa’s left eye, and begins to cry on finding that he has not succeeded in digging it out)—take the brougham. Hush, Johnny—hush—and you may leave a card for me at Mr. Peckham’s, Harley Street. My eye smarts horribly; that baby will gouge me one of these days.”
Mrs. Poole had succeeded in stilling the infant, and confessing that Johnny’s fingers are extremely strong for his age—but, adding that babies will catch at whatever is very bright and beautiful, such as gold and jewels and Mr. Poole’s eyes, administers to the wounded orb so soothing a lotion of pity and admiration that Poole growls out quite mildly: “Nonsense, blarney—by the by, I did not say this morning that you should not have the rosewood chiffoniere!”
“No, you said you could not afford it, duck; and when Pa says he can’t afford it, Pa must be the judge—must not he, Johnny dear?”
“But perhaps I can afford it. Yes, you may have it yes, I say, you shall have it. Don’t forget to leave that card on Peckham—he’s a moneyed man. There’s a ring at the bell. Who is it? run and see.”
Mrs. Poole obeyed with great activity, considering her interesting condition. She came back in half a minute. “Oh, my Adolphus—I oh, my Samuel! it is that dreadful-looking man who was here the other evening—stayed with you so long. I don’t like his looks at all. Pray don’t be at home.”
“I must,” said Poole, turning a shade paler, if that were possible. “Stop—don’t let that girl go to the door; and you—leave me.” He snatched his hat and gloves, and putting aside the parlour-maid, who had emerged from the shades below in order to answer the “ring,” walked hastily down the small garden.
Jasper Losely was stationed at the little gate. Jasper was no longer in rags, but he was coarsely clad—clad as if he had resigned all pretence to please a lady’s eye, or to impose upon a West-End tradesman—a check shirt—a rough pea-jacket, his hands buried in its pockets.
Poole started with well—simulated surprise. “What, you! I am just going to my office—in a great hurry at present.”