ALPHABET OF ' THE MIRROR OF LIFE ’ 73 tiptoe, and brought down the necessary bundle of papers. ‘ Here we are ! All your dear papa’s furniture is here. Do you want to see aU the orders ? ’ ' No. What should I do with them ? Memories of childhood, you know. . . . The drawing-room furni ture. . . . How well I remember playing on that Persian rug in the drawing-room and looking up at that Gobelin, that “ Shepherdess Ah ! those were good days, happy days ! The golden age of childhood ! I think I shall limit myself to dear papa’s drawing-room suite.’ The archivist began to take the orders from the bundle. He took out five orders ; one for ten chairs, two for one chair, one for the round table, and one for the ‘ Shepherdess ’ Gobelin. ‘ Look at these ! ’ he said proudly. ‘ Every one of them in order. All the addresses neatly entered, together with the signature of each recipient. No one can deny such facts. Perhaps you would like to see the furniture belonging to Madam Popov, the general’s wife ? It’s very fine and is also Gambs’ work.’ But Bender, moved solely by filial love, pocketed the five orders, and refused to be interested in anybody else’s furniture. ‘ Perhaps you will give me a receipt for the orders ? ’ said the archivist. ' Certainly,’ said Bender readily. They went into the other room again. Korobey nikov wrote out a receipt in his best handwriting and handed it over to his guest. Bender took the paper with the utmost courtesy and put it into the same pocket as the orders. ‘ Well,’ he said, ‘ I think I have troubled you a great deal. I dare not burden you any longer with my presence. May I shake you by the hand, sir ? ’ The amazed archivist limply shook the outstretched hand.
