"It would look so silly" said Lawrence "and yet I'm hard up for advice and you dont seem inclined to give me any"
"No, because you'd get it much better and more original from my mother" replied Mulberry.
"Well then I'll risk writing" said Laurence getting up as he spoke "but mind if Lady Beaufort is annoyed you must take the consequences because I should never have dreamt of doing this without you."
"Oh I'll answer for the consequences" said Mulberry with an amused smile as his friend sat down and taking a sheet of crested note paper proceeded to pen the following lines:
Lady Beaufort
I hope you will excuse the liberty I take in writing you these few words—but speaking honestly I am in the very same difficulty as your son was a little time ago and out of which you so cleaverly helped him. Would it be asking too much of you to do the same for me. I am about to propose to Helen Winston and dont quite know how to express myself. I want it to be quite a short proposal and one quickly got through. Do you advise me to do it out of doors or in. I am afraid I should get so nervous in a drawing room, but of course it is just as you think best. Might I have an answer to this as soon as possible please.
Believe me,
Yours faithfully
Lawrence E. G. Lincarrol.
"Here now if Lady Beaufort turns that to ridicule its not my fault cried Lawrence hastily screwing his epistle into a cocked hat.
"No of course not" replied Mulberry encouragingly ringing the bell as he spoke, "now when the butler comes I'll tell him to send it up at once and mark my words Lawrence you'll have a reply within three minutes from now."
"I feel an awful ass" responded Lawrence throwing the note on the table "but now I'm going out for a bit perhaps as you say I shall find an answer waiting for me when I come back."