The Magistrate - novelonlinefull.com
You’re read light novel The Magistrate Part 26 online at NovelOnlineFull.com. Please use the follow button to get notification about the latest chapter next time when you visit NovelOnlineFull.com. Use F11 button to read novel in full-screen(PC only). Drop by anytime you want to read free – fast – latest novel. It’s great if you could leave a comment, share your opinion about the new chapters, new novel with others on the internet. We’ll do our best to bring you the finest, latest novel everyday. Enjoy
AGATHA POSKET.
The man who was courting me was seeking relaxation from the discharge of multifarious responsibilities. How could I tax an already wearied attention with the recital of the events of thirty-six years?
LUKYN.
What did you do?
AGATHA POSKET.
Out of consideration for the man I loved, I sacrificed five years of happy girlhood--told him I was but one-and-thirty--that I had been married only fifteen years previously--that my boy was but fourteen!
LUKYN.
By George, madam, and am I to subscribe to all this?
AGATHA POSKET.
I only ask you to avoid the question of dates.
LUKYN.
But, at a man's dinner-table----
AGATHA POSKET.
You need not spoil a man's dinner. Not only a man's--but a woman's!
Lukyn, Lukyn! Promise!
LUKYN.
Give me a second to think.
[_LUKYN, turning away, discovers CHARLOTTE in the act of lifting the covers from the dishes and inspecting the contents._
LUKYN.
Ah, devilled oysters!
CHARLOTTE.
Oh!
[_Drops dish-cover with a crash, and runs over to the table and speaks to AGATHA POSKET._
LUKYN.
Don't go--pray look at 'em again--wish I could persuade you to taste them. What am I to do? Shall I promise? Poor Posket! If I don't promise she'll cry and won't go home. The oysters are nearly cold--cold! What must _he_ be! [_Drawing aside the curtain, and not seeing VALE, he staggers back._] Gone--and without a cry--brave fellow, brave fellow!
AGATHA POSKET.
Colonel Lukyn.
LUKYN.
Decay of stamina in the army--pah! The young 'uns are worthy of our best days.
AGATHA POSKET.
Colonel Lukyn, will you promise?
LUKYN.
Promise? Anything, my dear madam, anything.
AGATHA POSKET.
Ah, thank you! May I ask you to see us to our cab?
LUKYN.
Certainly! Thank heaven, they're going!
AGATHA POSKET.
[_To CHARLOTTE._] It's all right; come along!
CHARLOTTE.
[_To AGATHA POSKET._] Oh, those oysters look so nice.
LUKYN.
[_To himself._] Stop! In my trouble, I am forgetting even the commonest courtesies to these ladies. [_To AGATHA POSKET._] You have a long journey before you. I am sure your husband would not forgive me for letting you face such weather unprepared. Let me recommend an oyster or two and a thimbleful of champagne.
AGATHA POSKET.
No, thank you, Colonel Lukyn.
CHARLOTTE.
[_To AGATHA POSKET._] Say yes. I'm starving.
LUKYN.
As you please. [_To himself._] I knew they'd refuse. I've done my duty.
CHARLOTTE.
[_To AGATHA POSKET._] I was in the train till seven o'clock. Wait till you're a _bona-fide_ traveller--accept.
