Page:Minnie's Bishop and Other Stories (1915).djvu/18

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doesn't do for them to appear opulent, especially nowadays when people are so down on the Church. I'll have a box of my own cigarettes on the chimney- piece in case he doesn't care for a pipe."

"That reminds me," said Ronald, "that I can't have you smoking cigarettes all over the house while he's here."

"My dear Ronald! Don't be perfectly absurd. Bessie Langworthy's husband supplied me with cigarettes while I was there. Church dignitaries like women who smoke. It's a pleasant variety for them. Their own wives never do. By the way, is this bishop married?"

"Is he married?" said Ronald to his wife.

"Your mother doesn't say." She referred to the letter as she spoke. "Anyhow, his wife, if he has a wife, isn't with him."

"That's a comfort," said Minnie. "I could never have got on with a Mrs. Bishop. Now, if you two will excuse me, I'll go and give some instructions to the servants. There are a few things they mightn't be up to if they're not accustomed to bishops."

"I suppose," said Ronald, "that you know exactly how gaiters and aprons ought to be folded."

"Really Minnie," said Mrs. Mendel, "I think you'd better leave the servants to me."

"Certainly not," said Minnie. "You know no more about bishops than they do. You'd simply make a muddle, and what we want is to give the