Adolphus
brought to a conclusion his criticism of Elvira's kitchen; and then
Elvira, incapable of restraining herself further, rose majestically.
The mutual friend was saved the trouble of suppressing Adolphus.
Until Elvira had finished Adolphus never got an opening. He grumbled
at their dinners. He! who can dine night after night with his
precious Freemasons. Does he think she likes them any better? She,
doomed to stay at home and eat them. What does he take her for? An
ostrich? Whose fault is it that they keep an incompetent cook too
old to learn and too obstinate to want to? Whose old family servant
was she? Not Elvira's. It has been to please Adolphus that she has
suffered the woman. And this is her reward. This! She breaks down.
Adolphus is astonished and troubled. Personally he never liked the
woman. Faithful she may have been, but a cook never. His own idea,
had he been consulted, would have been a small pension. Elvira falls
upon his neck. Why did he not say so before? Adolphus presses her
to his bosom. If only he had known! They promise the mutual friend
never to quarrel again without his assistance.
The acting all round was quite good. Our curate, who is a bachelor,
said it taught a lesson. Veronica had tears in her eyes. She
whispered to me that she thought it beautiful. There is more in
Veronica than people think.
CHAPTER XII
I am sorry the house is finished.
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