We felt we had done wisely, and made known
our wants.
"I am very sorry," he replied, "but, gentlemen, I am quite full. There
is not a vacant room in the hotel from roof to basement."
"Put us anywhere," we persisted, for it would never do to be beaten at
last: "the coal-cellar; a couple of cupboards; anything; but don't send
us away."
The landlord looked puzzled. He had a tall, fine presence and a handsome
face; not in the least like a Frenchman. "I assure you that I have
neither hole nor corner nor cupboard at your disposal," he declared. "I
have sent away a dozen people in the last hour who arrived by the last
train. Why did you not send me word you were coming?"
"We are only two, not a dozen," we urged. "And we knew nothing of this
terrible Fair, or we should not have come at all. But as we are here,
here we must remain."
With that we left the omnibus and went into the hall, enjoying the
landlord's perplexed attitude. But when did a case of this sort ever
fail to yield to persuasion? The last resource has very seldom been
reached, however much we may think it; and an emergency begets its own
remedy. The remedy in this instance was the landlady. Out she came at
the moment from her bureau, all gestures and possibilities; we felt
saved.
"Mon cher," she exclaimed--not to H.C., but to her spouse--"don't send
the gentlemen away at this time of night, and consign them to you know
not what fate.
Pages:
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121