On the evening of the second day he
became low-spirited, and going down to the kitchen took a glass from the
dresser and sat down by the beer-cask.
Almost insensibly he began to take a brighter view of things. It was
Saturday night and his wife was out. He shook his head indulgently as he
thought of her, and began to realise how foolish he had been to entrust
such a delicate mission to a woman. The Ancient Order of Camels wanted a
man to talk to them--a man who knew the world and could assail them with
unanswerable arguments. Having applied every known test to make sure
that the cask was empty, he took his cap from a nail and sallied out into
the street.
Old Mrs. Martin, a neighbour, saw him first, and announced the fact with
a scream that brought a dozen people round her. Bereft of speech, she
mouthed dumbly at Mr. Blows.
"I ain't touch--touched her," said that gentleman, earnestly. "I ain't--
been near 'er."
The crowd regarded him wild-eyed. Fresh members came running up, and
pushing for a front place fell back hastily on the main body and watched
breathlessly. Mr. Blows, disquieted by their silence, renewed his
protestations.
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