98 OCCASIONAL HAPPY THOUGHTS. 



have spoken if it hadn't been for Mr. X., who professes to 

 know " something about a horse," he says, " when he sees 

 one." 



Happy Thought. — As he isn't seeing one now, of course he 

 knows nothing at all on the subject at this moment. 



I don't say this, as it might be thought rude to a strange 

 visitor. The conversation is drying up, because it is so 

 difficult for me, in the centre, to talk all round, specially 

 when I have to trust to catching their eyes in order that, as I 

 haven't got an idea of their names, each one may know when 

 I am addressing her or him. Another difficulty is, that I 

 can't allude to them in speaking to Pullinger. 



Happy Thought. — When a party of strangers is taken to 

 make a call in the country, wouldn't it be better if each one 

 brought his or her card into the drawing-room, and presented 

 it personally ? How simple. 



I can only speak of them to Pullinger and his half-veiled 

 wife as " Your friends." " Won't your friends take a glass 

 of sherry ? " " Won't your friend " (the Dismounted Visitor) 

 " take a biscuit ? " and so forth. 



The Dismounted Man will take a biscuit and a glass of 

 sherry. 



Doddridge is summoned. 



" Very sorry," she replies, " but Mistress 'as gone out, and 

 took the keys." 



A blow. Very awkward, and looks so absurd. If they'd 

 only stuck to their refusal this wouldn't have happened. 



