Jonah and Co Part 38

"Rather," said Berry. "And avalanches. The cars will be roped together. Then, if one falls, it'll take the other with it. Will somebody pa.s.s me the grape-tongs? I've found a walnut."

"Why on earth," said Daphne, "don't they bring some candles? Falcon!"

"Yes, madam?"

"Try to find the door, and go and see what they're doing."

"Very good, madam."

With infinite care the butler emerged from the room. As the door closed--

"And now," said Adele, "I can't bear it any longer. Where _are_ the chocolates?"

"My dear," said my sister, "I've been feeling for the wretched things ever since the light went out. Hasn't anybody got a match?"

n.o.body had a match.

At length----

"They can't have been put on the table," said Jill. "I've----"

"Here they are," said Berry.

"Where?"

"Here. Give me your pretty white hand."

"This isn't them," said Jill. "They're in---- Oh, you brute! You've done it on purpose."

"I'm awfully sorry," said Berry. "I quite thought----"

"You liar!" said Jill heatedly. "You did it on purpose. You know you did. Daphne, he's gone and put my hand in the ginger."

"It'll wear off, dear," said Berry. "It'll wear off. By the time Piers is back, you'll hardly know...."

The apologetic entry of Falcon with two inches of candle upon a plate cut short the prophecy.

As he solemnly set the brand in the centre of the table, the light returned with a flash....

It was when the butler had placed the wine before Berry and was about to withdraw, that Daphne asked for the chocolates.

Falcon peered at the table.

"They were there, madam," he said.

Berry looked round uneasily.

"I think, perhaps," he began stooping to feel under his chair, "I think--I mean, fearing lest in the confusion...."

He broke off, to stare at a small silver bowl which was as bare as his hand.

Daphne took a deep breath.

"And that was full," she said witheringly. "And you sat there and let us feel all over the table, and pretended you were looking, and put Jill's hand in the ginger, and all the time----"

"I never ate one," said Berry. "I never...." He stopped short and looked round the room. "n.o.bby!"

The Sealyham emerged from beneath the table, wide-eyed, expectant.

Sternly my brother-in-law held out the bowl.

Never was guilt more plainly betrayed.

The p.r.i.c.ked ears fell flat: the bright brown eyes sank to the floor: the pert white tail was lowered incontinently. n.o.bby had hauled down his flag.

"Oh, n.o.bby!"

The terrier squirmed, laid his head upon the ground, and then rolled over upon his back....

"You can't blame the dog," said I. "Besides, he'll pay for it.

Quarter of a pound of chocolates'll fairly----"

"I've just remembered," said Daphne, "that they weren't chocolates at all. They were _marrons glaces_--the last of the bunch. They won't make any more this year."

Berry wiped his forehead,

"Are you saying this," he demanded, "to torment me? Or is it true?"

"It's a C.B. fact."

"But what about tea?" screamed her husband. "Tea without a _marron glace_ will be like--like h.e.l.l without the Prince of Darkness."

"I can't help it. France has a close season for them."

Berry hid his face in his hands.

"Under my chair!" he wailed. "The last of the bunch (sic). And I never ate one!"

"Come, come," said I. "Similarly placed, what would Epicurus have done?"

"I know," said Adele.

"What?" said Berry.

My wife smiled.

"He'd 've made tracks for Spain," she said.