His wife remonstrated, and he suddenly said: “Wait now—here it ’tis: ‘Don’t go in front of others unless you say ‘excuse me.’ Don’t sit down with ladies standing.’ Wall now, it ain’t on that page, either,” he remarked, but Mrs. Alexander grew annoyed when she saw the sympathetic smiles of their companions.
They recognized the “teacher’s” rules for their friend, and they felt sorry for his lot in life. Then she snapped out: “Can’t you find it in there, Eben?”
“No, b’ gosh! It ain’t down. All’s I can find is ‘don’ts and do’s’ what you told me.”
“Give me the book—I’ll find it,” demanded his wife. “You never could read your own writing.” And she took the book and quickly turned to the last page. Then she read off the address to the waiting dealer. This done she thrust the book back at her meek spouse.
“Well now! I never thought to look backwards first! I begun in the front of the book like I was taught at school,” said Mr. Alexander to his companions, in apology for his blunder.
The tourists finally got away from Bristol but they were too late to make Birmingham that night. So they planned to stop at Gloucester or Worcester, which ever was most convenient.
CHAPTER V—LOVE AFFAIRS AND ANTIQUES
While the cars were speeding over the long flat country that stretched away after leaving Bristol, Dodo entered into a confidential chat with Ruth who sat in the back seat beside her. Although it was against Jimmy’s wishes, Angela managed to get in the front seat beside him, in order to give him some sound advice about his future.
“I just heard, Ruth, that you would have a birthday, shortly,” began Dodo.
“Yes, but who told you so?” returned Ruth.