A few minutes later he was
listening to the shrill and repeated assurances of the nursemaid that her
previous experience of filthy spectacles had been on a notably smaller
scale.
That same evening when twilight was deepening into darkness Octavian took
up his position as penitent under the lone oak-tree, having first
carefully undressed the part. Clad in a zephyr shirt, which on this
occasion thoroughly merited its name, he held in one hand a lighted
candle and in the other a watch, into which the soul of a dead plumber
seemed to have passed. A box of matches lay at his feet and was resorted
to on the fairly frequent occasions when the candle succumbed to the
night breezes. The house loomed inscrutable in the middle distance, but
as Octavian conscientiously repeated the formula of his penance he felt
certain that three pairs of solemn eyes were watching his moth-shared
vigil.
And the next morning his eyes were gladdened by a sheet of copy-book
paper lying beside the blank wall, on which was written the message "Un-
Beast."
THE PHANTOM LUNCHEON
"The Smithly-Dubbs are in Town," said Sir James. "I wish you would show
them some attention.
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