Chinkie's Flat and Other Stories

at there were several other visitors there who had apparently come to dine. Whether they were personal fr

een shown into their private sitting-room; and then she added quickly, as she heard a footstep in the passage, "Y

rappème, who, after the usual commonplaces,

an. We shall be glad of an

out, inwardly raging at what she told her mother was Sheila'

nt to be treated as members of the family, whether we like it or not. I w

t would be awful-

oking, whilst the latter was opening a leather trunk which contained some bott

ering of blanket. "Now move your lazy self and break a piece off with your knife, whilst I open this bottle of Kin

her face, and she'll squeeze us all she can. She told me in a mysterious aside that the butler kept all the very best wines and liquor obtainable. I thanked her, and said I usually provided my own. She

this. I wonder if Mrs. Trap-Trapper, or whatever her name is, thinks we are going to dress for dinne

new and thriving a place for busy men like ourselves to worry about evening dress. By the way, Grainger, I

lad, old man. I was wondering what made her so unusua

ll you yet. I only asked h

them talking in the sitting-room. Hallo! who is that little fellow out t

window and saw a very dimi

essed in frock coat, tall hat, and carrying a thick, curly stick as big as himself. Of course every one smiled, and he took it badly-couldn't see what there was to laugh at; and when old Charteris, the Commissioner, asked him how much he would 'take for

he-ah-ah-circus company

t of ill-mannered, vulgar fellows, and then some one or other whipped of

dlord, send for a policeman. I'll give all these men in ch

ou'll come here like that every day, I'll give you a sovereign, and we'll have the hat. O

then when old Char-tens asked him not to mind a bit of miners' horseplay, but to s

ustralian Insurance Company. Do you possibly i

: "It must have

an, and came back panting and furious, and pointing, to Charteris, told them to take him in charge. Doyle looked a

Magisthrate himsilf? Who are ye at all, at all? Ye'd betther be after goin' home

er, and in the midst of it, Myra tapped vig

s noise about, Ted?

d away, Myra, fo

g well-set-up figures-both were "six feet men"-and contrast their handsome, bronzed and bearded faces with the insignificant appearance of Assheton and another gentleman in evening dress-a delicate but exceedingly gentlemanly young Scotsman. Of course there were more introductions-all of which were duly and unnecessarily carried out by Mrs. Trappème. Others of that lady's guests were the local Episcopalian clergyman and his wife-the former was a placid, dreamy-looking, mild creature, with soft, kindly eyes. He smiled at everybody, was evidently in abject ter

as to who she is and where she is going. Of course I could have refused to receive her, and am now rather sorry I did not. I understood from her that Mr. Grainge

rich," said the clergy

Wooler meant to do a little begging (for chu

volved with such a-a forward-looking

iosity, for Sheila was quite hungry enough not to waste too much time in conversa

at like me, you are quite a

lived here ever since

in Town

lia," Sheila ob

liarly irritating condescension of manner and surprised tone, as if she meant to sa

y. "Do you think you will li

efinite impression. Possibly I ma

e country if you did not," said Shei

g stay in Queensland, Miss C

er hand a very short one. Or it may be that

she looked across at him, he saw that she was

r mind it was absolutely incredible that any woman would dare to snub her-Mrs. Wooler-daughter of a dean, and possessing an uncl

l be short, Miss Carolan? You will find it a very expensive

blood was getting up, and M

hristian Association,' or other kindred institution, whe

und a Girls' Friendly Society. Such an institution w

to go there instead of stay

hing was occurring, spoke loudly to Mr. Wooler, who answered in his usual soft voice. Bu

approve most strongly of any young woma

la turned and looked s

the inquisitive lady, who har

to debt-living beyond one's

re showing now on her cheeks. Then she added very clearly and distinctly, "T

wible-fo

sad condition while you are in Townsville, to give her the benefit of your years, your advice, and your experience-even though that advice was thrust upon her in a manner that I believe might possibly cau

she has done the parson woman good. Look

e glance of hatred, and then tried to eat; and Viveash, who had the sense to do so, at once began telling her

the front door, and the butler pr

ion wishes to see you. Most important, sir

ng-room and went into one of the sitting-