and Mrs.
Simpson dined at different hours; and that the elder Miss Strip had
broken off a very suitable match with a young ship's chandler, on
the ground that ship's candles were not "genteel." It was about
this time, too, that Mrs. Wapshot, at the confectionery shop, refused
to walk with Mr. Wapshot on the Rope-walk after Sunday evening
service, because domestic bliss was "horrid vulgar"; and Mrs.
Goodwyn-Sandys' dictum that "one admirer, at least, was no more than
a married woman's due," only failed of acceptance because the supply
of admirers in Troy fell short of the demand. She had herself
annexed Samuel Buzza and Mr. Moggridge.
Meanwhile the Admiral was not idle; and had anything been needed to
whet his desire for a Club, it would have been found in a dreadful
event that happened shortly afterwards.
It was May-morning, and the Admiral was planted in the sunshine
outside No. 2, Alma Villas, loudly discussing the question of the
hour with Mr. Goodwyn-Sandys, Lawyer Pellow, and the little Doctor.
"No, we can't have him," he was roundly declaring; "the Club must be
select, or it is useless to discuss it further."
"Must draw the line somewhere," murmured the Honourable Frederic.
"Quite so; at this rate we shall be admitting all the 'Jolly
Trojans.
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