Can you give me a rough
general idea of the average number you anticipate will probably arrive
every hour from now till the offices close?"
"Grannie, grannie, forgive me! I assure you--"
"Don't be afraid to tell me, Hennessey. It is much better to know
the worst, and fact it bravely. Will the present average be merely
sustained, or do you expect the quantity to increase towards night?
because if so--"
"Grannie, there will be no more. I swear to you solemnly that I will
not have another telegram to-day. I will not upon my sacred honour.
Nothing--not wild horses even--shall induce me."
"Horses! Then were they racing tips, Hennessey? Yes, give me the _eau de
Cologne_ and fan me gently. Were they racing tips?"
"Oh, grannie, how could you suppose--"
At this moment Mr. Ferdinand entered softly and went up to Mrs.
Merillia.
"Mr. Q. Elisha Hubsbee, ma'am. He is deeply distressed and asks for news
. . ."
"The Central American Ambassador's grandfather," said Mrs. Merillia,
reading the card which Mr. Ferdinand handed to her.
"Shocked to hear you are so ill that a knock will finish you. Guess
you must be far gone. Earnest sympathy. Have you tried patent morphia
molasses?
"Q.
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