Three Men and a Maid

by P. G. Wodehouse

"Yes, to cheer him up."

"Oh, all right."

"Run along!"

Mr. Mortimer ran along. He had the air of one who feels that he only needs a peaked cap and a uniform two sizes too small for him to be a properly equipped messenger boy.

"And, as Bream was saying," resumed the girl, "you might have been left behind."

"That," said Sam, edging a step closer, "was the thought that tortured me, the thought that a friendship so delightfully begun…."

"But it hadn't begun. We have never spoken to each other before now."

"Have you forgotten? On the dock…."

Sudden enlightenment came into her eyes.

"Oh, you are the man poor Pinky-Boodles bit!"