He paused
before a room on the third floor, and knocked in a peculiar
manner.
The door was opened by a tall woman, in rather neglected attire.
"So you're back," she said.
"Yes, my dear, home again. As the poet says, 'There is no place
like home.' "
"I should hope there wasn't," said Mrs. Montgomery, looking about
her disdainfully. "A very delightful home it makes with such a
charming prospect of the back yard. I've been moping here all
day."
"You've found something to console you, I see," said her husband,
glancing at the table, on which might be seen a bottle of brandy,
half-emptied, and a glass.
"Yes," said Mrs. Montgomery; "I felt so bad I had to send out for
something. It took every cent I had. And, by the way, Mrs.
Flagg sent in her bill, this morning, for the last two weeks'
board; she said she must have it."
"My dear," said Mr. Montgomery, "she shall have it."
"You don't mean to say you've got the money, Tony!" exclaimed
his wife, in surprise.
"No, I haven't got the money; but I've got what's just as good."
"What have you got?"
"What do you say to this?" and Mr. Montgomery drew from his
pocket the diamond ring, whose loss was so deeply felt by our
hero.
Pages:
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163