GRAY DAYS AND MERRY WAYS 



these possibilities we can only conjecture, but if 

 the first wife is still in the flesh, I trust that she 

 has the satisfaction of watching the retributive 

 workings of the mills of the gods; for poetic jus- 

 tice has overtaken Mr. Rufus in the shape of 

 Madame Jolie-Queue, the independent little lady 

 who succeeded Number One. The whilom des- 

 pot now occupies the position of subordinate in 

 the establishment of which he is nominally the 

 head, and he is as humble and subservient as he 

 was formerly arbitrary and tyrannical. 



Madame Jolie-Queue received her foreign title 

 on the occasion of her presentation as a bride. 

 The name is a tribute to her magnificent brush, 

 in comparison with which Rufus's tail looks thin 

 and almost apologetic. She is evidently older 

 than he, for while his face is almost youthful, hers 

 bears certain marks which I take for crows' feet 

 equivalents; and an indentation in her right ear, 

 a scar on her left shoulder, and a general mar- 

 tial, independent bearing proclaim her a fighter 

 and a genuine Amazon. 



In the olden days Rufus used occasionally to 

 indulge in reveries and moments of relaxation, 

 but no such luxuries are permitted him in the 

 presence of Madame Jolie-Queue. Being herself 



[73] 



