that she thinks no present could possibly be more welcome.'
'Welcome,' cried Berengaria ecstatically, 'I'm just pining for it. Do you know,' she added confidentially, 'I don't think I've ever wanted anything so much in my life as I've wanted a sponge and a dressing-gown.'
I privately determined to give Berengaria a sponge for a Christmas present. It would be such a nice cheap present, and there's nothing like the satisfaction of giving people just what they want at the lowest possible cost to one's self.
'Come,' I said, 'let's go and unpack that dressing-gown.'
'You dear,' cried Berengaria. She kissed me effusively, and I felt that I had created a real good impression straight away, and after all there's nothing in life quite equal to a good beginning.
