MRS. LANGHAM-GREENE PAYS HER DEBT; AND
MRS. WAITE, HERS
"The long-necked geese of the world that are
ever hissing dispraise
Because their natures are little."
—Tennyson.
Estelle Hadwell was sitting by a blazing fire in her husband's library when she heard voices in the hall below, followed by the banging of a door. Then Mr. Hadwell called loudly:
"Estelle! are you there?"
"Yes, dear," replied his wife, somewhat surprised. "Have you visitors?"
"Yes. Mrs. Langham-Greene and Mrs. Tollman are here. Can you come down?"
"Yes, indeed!" replied Mrs. Hadwell with effusion. She rose slowly from her chair by the fire, grimacing disgustedly as she did so. The library was so nice and Mrs. Greene so horrid and Mrs. Tollman such a bore.
She hurried down and advanced with extended hands and a delighted smile. She had got as far as "A most delightful surprise—an unexpected pleasure!" when she caught sight of her husband's face.
"Henry!" she exclaimed in genuine consternation. "What in the world is it?"
Her husband was standing with his back to the fireplace and a portentous frown on his brow, looking, as Mrs. Hadwell reflected to herself, for all the world like the British Matron in trousers.