MR DASHWOOD LEAVES 205 



" Don't go getting in a flurry over nothing." 



" Nothing! " said Mr Dashwood, with a hollow- 

 laugh, stuffing socks and hair-brushes into the 

 yawning bag. 



" When you've been through the mill as often 

 as I have," said French, " you'll know what I 

 mean. There never was a girl made but there 

 wasn't as good a one made to match her." 



" I'm not thinking of girls. I'm thinking of 

 myself. I've made — I've made an Ass of myself." 



" Faith, you're not the first man that's done 

 that." 



" Possibly." 



" And won't be the last. I've done it so often 

 myself. Ass! — faith, it's a herd of asses I've 

 made of myself, and Jackasses at that, and there 

 you go getting into a flurry over doing what every 

 man does. Did you ask her? " 



" No," said Dashwood, viciously, clasping the 

 bag. ''I didn't." 



" Then how on earth did you make an ass of 

 yourseH? " asked French, without in the least 

 meaning to be uncomphmentary. 



" How? " cried Dashwood, infuriated. " Why, 

 by tTjing to act straight over this business. Now I 

 must go. I'll write from town. I'll explain every- 

 thing in a letter. Only promise me one thing — don't 

 say anything to — her. D071H ask her questions." 



Bag in hand, he made for the door. To reach 

 the station by the road would mean the risk of 

 meeting Miss Grimshaw. By the down-side, 



