I don't know how you
are feeling, but the atmosphere of this place is most distasteful to me.
These tawdry decorations are positively vicious. The odor, too, is
insufferable."
Burton rose hastily to his feet.
"I quite agree with you," he said. "Let us get out as quickly as we
can."
"Something," Mr. Waddington went on, "ought to be done to prevent the
employment of young women in a public place. It is enough to alter
one's whole opinion of the sex to see a brazen-looking creature like
that lounging about the bar, and to be compelled to be served by her if
one is in need of a little refreshment."
Burton nodded his approbation.
"How we could ever have found our way into the place," he said, "I can't
imagine."
"A moment or two ago," Mr. Waddington groaned, "you were thinking of
sending up for Maud."
Burton, at this, wiped the perspiration from his forehead.
"Please don't remind me of it," he begged. "Let us get away as quickly
as we can."
The young lady leaned over from the bar, holding out a hand, none too
clean, on which sparkled several rings.
"Well, you're in a great hurry all at once," she remarked. "Can't you
stay a bit longer?"--She glanced at the clock.--"Maud will be down in
ten minutes.
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