Miss Duck opened the letter with a nervous hand, and then flung it down in disgust. It was an undertaker’s circular, offering to bury the occupier and family on strictly moderate terms.
Bess went slowly upstairs, and found George pacing the room.
He knew by his wife’s face there was nothing for him, so he sighed and sat down to finish his breakfast.
‘Bess,’ he said presently, looking into the bottom of his cup as if he thought there might be a letter there, ‘I shall go and look A, B. up.’
Bess was standing by him, with her hand on his shoulder.
‘Oh, George, look, there is a letter!’ she cried suddenly.
‘Where?’ said George, looking inquiringly about him.
‘In the cup, dear; look, four black dots at the bottom of the cup—that means a letter. It always comes true.’
George laughed.
‘You didn’t see a coffin in the fire, or a thief in the candle last night, did you, dear?’ he said. ‘What a silly goose you are to believe in omens!’