In the early spring of 1879, John Osbaldiston was sitting in his library delivering himself of portentous platitudes on the subject of frivolity, for the edification of Miss Bella, when the afternoon post arrived, and brought a letter bearing the Belchester postmark. Having perused it, John Osbaldiston settled his neck in his collar, and handed the communication to his daughter, who read it out with many interjections of disapproval. The following is a copy of the letter.
“Belchester Institute,
Belchester —, 1879.“Dear Sir,—A Committee having been appointed to consider the long-mooted question of opening a Loan Exhibition of Works of Art, in connection with the Institute, it has been resolved to hold the proposed Exhibition in the summer of the present year. Regarding your own long and honourable connection with the town, it has been resolved to consult you generally on the subject, and to request you to lend us a few examples from your magnificent collection. When it is known that you have contributed to the walls of our Exhibition, the example upon the minds of other collectors will be prodigious, and the success of our efforts be secured.
“Your obedient servant,
Amos Black, Hon. Sec.“John Osbaldiston, Esq., J.P., D.L.”
“Well, I never,” exclaimed Bella. “Such impudence!”
“I see nothing impudent about it,” replied the father, sternly. “I owe everything to Belchester. Belchester shall not find me ungrateful.”
“Of course not, dear papa. But supposing Belchester rewards your gratitude by poking its umbrellas through your Titians or by cutting little bits out of your Turners!”
“Belchester has trusted me. I will trust Belchester,” replied her parent, pompously.
“But you can’t send to Belchester,” she said, trying another tack.
“And why, pray?”
“Because there is no way of sending them except by the Great Nor’-West by Western Railway Company’s branch line.”
“They shall go by van,” he replied decisively.