rendered somewhat recalcitrant. Yes; decidedly I must have it out with
somebody. The weather was once more superb; and in the garden beneath my
window men were already sweeping away the broken twigs and debris of the
storm. I say "already," because it had not seemed to me to be the Kings
Port custom to remove debris, or anything, with speed. I also had it in
my mind to perform at lunch Aunt Carola's commission, and learn if the
family of La Heu were indeed of royal descent through the Bombos. I
intended to find this out from the girl behind the counter, but the
course which our conversation took led me completely to forget about it.

As soon as I entered the Exchange I planted myself in front of the
counter, in spite of the discouragement which I too plainly perceived in
her countenance; the unfavorable impression which I had made upon her at
our last interview was still in force.

I plunged into it at once. "I have a confession to make."

"You do me surprising honor."

"Oh, now, don't begin like that! I suppose you never told a lie."

"I'm telling the truth now when I say that I do not see why an entire
stranger should confess anything to me."

"Oh, my goodness! Well, I told you a lie, anyhow; a great, successful,
deplorable lie."

She opened her mouth under the shock of it, and I recited to her
unsparingly my deception; during this recital her mouth gradually
closed.

"Well, I declare, declare, declare!" she slowly and deliciously breathed
over the sum total; and she considered me at length, silently, before
her words came again, like a soft soliloquy. "I could never
have believed it in one who"--here gayety flashed in her eyes
suddenly--"parts his back hair so rigidly. Oh, I beg your pardon for
being personal!" And her gayety broke in ripples. Some habitual instinct
moved me to turn to the looking-glass. "Useless!" she cried, "you can't
see it in that. But it's perfectly splendid to-day."

Nature has been kind to me in many ways--nay, prodigal; it is not every
man who can perceive the humor in a jest of which he is himself the
subject. I laughed with her. "I trust that I am forgiven," I said.

"Oh, yes, you are forgiven! Come out, General, and give the gentleman
your right paw, and tell him that he is forgiven--if only for the sake
of Daddy Ben." With these latter words she gave me a gracious nod of
understanding. They were all thanking me for the kettle-supporter! She
probably knew also the tale of John