Poulter was always the first to take
it, and her claim as senior resident was not challenged. One
morning, however, Mrs. Mudge, after fidgeting for a whole hour,
while Mrs. Poulter leisurely scanned every paragraph from the top of
the first page down to the bottom of the last, suggested that the
paper should be divided, as other people might wish to see it. Mrs.
Poulter dropped her eye-glass and handed Mrs. Mudge the outside
sheet, with the remark that if she would but have intimated politely
that she was in a hurry, she could have had it before.
'I'm in no hurry,' Mrs. Mudge replied, 'and you don't seem to be in
any. Thank you; this is not the bit I want; you needn't trouble; I
can order a paper myself.' The next day there was a Standard for
Mrs. Mudge, who with some malice immediately offered it to Mr.
Goacher. Mrs. Poulter glared at him, and after a little hesitation
he expressed his obligation but preferred to wait, as he had a
letter to write which must be dispatched immediately. Mrs. Poulter
never forgot Mrs. Mudge's spite, as she called it; the Standard
reminded her of it daily.
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