The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1855-05-04

table. dare say Mr.. Robinson will be in
soon most likely, as you say, he hes been
detained IN his Office he often is. Perhaps
you tcitf be so kind as to excuse me for a few
minutes. Mr.. Robinson won't be long, am
sure" And without waitingtor reply, the
lady disappeared more hastily than she had
entered the parlor. IS ~
Thinks TO myself, Heres a pretty n.ess!
] T could bat make my exit unseen. j
would. And l blushed TO my fingers ends.
till Trey fairly tingled sHang all family
dinners, and the men who invite their friends
4 to them !" I>unconsciously calculated, as /
reseated myself in a mood Of desperate re-
| lsignation.
Friend Robinson's house was not a very
large one, and it was not long before heard
d.ztlnctly enough, the opening and shutting
OF doors, not over and above gently. The
street door was opened too and shut, opened
and shut again; but not by Mr.. Robinson.-
Soon afterwards, from the region below. /
tancied | heard the sounds offizzing and fry-
ing, or something akintoit, Then II, the din
tngroom adjoining the parlorin which sat
not a couch Of roses, by any means--I heard
the creaking of an uplifled table fap, the
rattling of plates, the clattering of knives.
forks and spoons, and the jingling of glass
les.
"Come." thought /, ct will be all right
at last But that Robinson can the
man have got to-l"
| Thanks be praised the door bell rings
at last--a foud, sharp ring, which none but
the master ofthe house is privileged to rive
and enter Mr.. Robinson.
"Ha, you have been here before me. I
see" said he, trying, as it struck me, olook
unconcerned; al have been detained. but.
better late than neyer;;" and he. applied his
Tell you mistress that am come in, Sa-
rah," " said he, when the girl entered, fiery
red IN the face. Dinner is ready,I sup.
pose z"
Mistress says am to tell you that It will
be ready in quarter of an hour, sir" said
the damsel.
| "Bless mel Docs your mistress, know
what timeit isl" exclaimed Mr.. Robinson,
looking at his watch, which, as well as the
dial, pointed to quarter, of three.
Mistress wants to see you, sir, for min
ute, if you please" continued the girl, evad-
ing her masters question, as altogether be.
side the mark. .....
Mr.. Robinson was obedicnt to the sum-
mons, and disappeared.
1t is no use--if people viii talk loud, it's
absurd in them to expect other people will
put their fingers to their ears. / told You
just now that friend Robinson's house was
not large one, And it was a very sonor-
Gus one. Now, there circumstances put to.
gether, win exonerate me from the charge of
listening-which did not. The fact is, /
could not help hearing
First, a gentle murmuring in female
voice, from some place below stairs-sound.
ing very much like a remonstrance, bat the
import Of which could not and did not
particularly wish to make out; though I
might possibly guess at it.
To this succeeded an inpatient "Pshaw !
Nonsense ~ in the gruff, though subdued
tones Of friend Robinson--"An old friend,
too; how was / to help itp
Then came again the murmuring in some
what louder, and moro emphatic accents,
in which could distinguish the words
aNothing but the cold .shoulder--yery
thoughtless and provoking p
Presently Mr.. Robinson returned pretend
| ing to look mighty unconcerned, but plainly
enough ruffied and i'll at ease--the sinner ;