The pause that followed was rather irksome for all parties. It was ended at last by Nurseryman Jennings. That practical expert, having enjoyed an afternoon of free whisky at the President’s expense, was now able to clothe his judgment becomingly. “Don’t suppose the little Snot grew it hisself!” said Jennings.
Half the Committee saw at once that a way out had been found for the President. But the President was not of the number. “Why don’t you?” he said curtly.
The practical expert was hardly prepared with reasons. Why should he be? His doubts were inspired by the purest altruism. “Why don’t you, Jennings?” repeated the President.
Really there is no helping some people!
“Because I don’t!” It was rather lame, but Jennings was doing his best in extremely trying circumstances.
The longer, tenser pause that followed none was stout enough to break. Up to a hundred might have been counted before the President said, slowly and gruffly, as a large and shaggy bear endowed with a few limited human vocables might have done, “Have the goodness, Jennings, to mark Exhibit Sixteen for the President’s Special.”
XI
THUS it was, that among the successful competitors who lined up by the bandstand at six o’clock to receive awards of merit from the fair hands of Mrs. Alderman Munt, was her son-in-law Mr. William Hollis.