The Compleat Bachelor

le. The magazines were uncut-cutting meant energy. The tape machine ticked out nothing but cricket scores, in which I am not interested. A waiter was

and lived for nothing but the next water-cart that should pass and drench their burning hocks. The trees bore spiritlessly their bur

eks of hot, breathless theatres, and daily martyrdoms on the Row. The season was confounded rot. I had half a mind to throw the whole thing up

t Dixon had just driven past, looking as fresh as a buttercup. I saw Millie Dixon twic

. The first parasol of my acquaintance that passed should be my re

k of carriage, should belong to Mrs. Loring Chatterton. I calculated my time carefully,

Butterfield,

I replied; "with a little b

knew such heat in May. You must f

ur, for a bachelor approaching forty, and of pe

e to say, somewhat meagre presence has ripened to a more generous noon

ctise), but Mr. Butterfield, who may be allowed to see the children in bed, should he wish it, and who is sacrificed on the a

u ought to mind at your time of life. Let m

perhaps you prefer to wal

on you," said this inc

ion of action was never my strong point, and the firmest principles will soften at ninety-two

strategic use of large vans and the skirting of a person with a huge umbrella, whose shadow was as that of a great rock in a t

and closed my eyes, while my hostess, as a last impertinence, vapourised me

o the long evening. I lazily watched a fly that was spinning a soft drone in the twilighted room, and blinked through my half-closed eyes at the few white splashes of sunlight on the floor, vivid in th

er neck. She looked the pink of freshness-and yet she was within three years

ver urn, and ministered to my paresse with tea and lemon. I grew humorously m

orpulence, for she came over with tea, and

ning posture, and shook m

ry. I sigh for what once was, for what might have been now. I

which she looked at me

continued, "you an

to look

was also interested in painting and also visited the National Gallery. Loring Chatterton didn't

h to see Millie Dixon; you didn't

ehouses of the world's art. It is the pride of a great nation. I went there for purposes of

You used to study the water-colours down-stairs, and you got l

ays had foresight

painted, and Mi

, Mrs. Loring, I never ascert

on as ten years ago. I gave Millicent a month if she knew her business. Loring and

. Millie had never t

t have been a lonely fat old bachelor, living in a horrid

been a bachelor. It is my gift. I was born a bachelor. I should have said, 'Miss Dixon, if you love me, let me remain a bachelor.' She w

know you lik

as a garden of flowers, yet I c

ou sigh for te

oring is a charming woman, but I must be careful. One or two lapses into sentiment like this, and she will

sofa, and was threatening to disturb my repose. It brought back the hot streets and the stifling club

oring, with the first thought of a ho

t Dixon enter

tterfield? Do you know, Moll, I have been rushing about for two mortal hours trying to find

timental. Between ourselves, Millie, he came dangerously near to a lucid interv

terfield?" inquired Millicent

fore any one else, Mr. But

oman! No bachelor is safe

o wedding presents. Mr. Butterfield, the unassailable ba

e me of good resolutions. Does my previous bad character go for nothing? May I not have a half-hour's wea

gaged, Mr. Butterfie

ng. If it comes again I will take you into my confidence; in

n the subject. I was sti

d presen