They decide they will go, only now they will have to change their
boots, and put on different hats.
For the next ten minutes they are still shouting and running about.
Then it seems as if they really were ready, nothing remaining but
for them to say "Good-bye," and go.
They begin by kissing the children. A woman never leaves her house
without secret misgivings that she will never return to it alive.
One child cannot be found. When it is found it wishes it hadn't
been. It has to be washed, preparatory to being kissed. After
that, the dog has to be found and kissed, and final instructions
given to the cook.
Then they open the front door.
"Oh, George," calls out the first woman, turning round again. "Are
you there?"
"Hullo," answers a voice from the distance. "Do you want me?"
"No, dear, only to say good-bye. I'm going."
"Oh, good-bye."
"Good-bye, dear. Do you think it's going to rain?"
"Oh no, I should not say so."
"George."
"Yes."
"Have you got any money?"
Five minutes later they come running back; the one has forgotten her
parasol, the other her purse.
And speaking of purses, reminds one of another essential difference
between the male and female human animal.
Pages:
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189