George did so, borrowing for the time one of the head clerk's cigars, with the permission of that gentleman's fiancée.
The sight of his beloved on one side of the fire and his enemy on the other was too much for Parrott. Already his cramped position had exhausted him, he began to scheme for some means of escape.
George now shifted his position, so as to put his back to the light, at the same time putting his back to the cupboard. If only Lucy would do the same, he might slip out and down the stairs, the cupboard being near the door.
The next moment she did so, and, quick as lightning, Parrott opened the door noiselessly, and put one foot out. Unfortunately for him, George was standing before the looking-glass, and this movement caught his eye. In the excitement of the moment he dropped the china dog he was examining, which so startled Miss Perkins that Parrott was forced to draw back for fear of being observed.
George gathered up the pieces, and began to laugh. The idea of Parrott being in the cupboard while the lamb chops were being eaten was too good to be passed over lightly, it gave a new zest to the entertainment.
"What are you laughing at?" asked Miss Perkins, still suffering from the shock.
George laughed louder. "I was thinking," he said, "how your fiancé will laugh when he comes home and asks for the lamb chops for supper, and finds they're eaten."
This tickled Miss Perkins immensely, and she and George laughed again in unison.
"Serve him right," said Miss Perkins.
"What does it matter?" said George, throwing away his cigar, and taking a fresh one.