SCENE II.—IN PARK LANE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5333, 10 August 1895, Page 3

SCENE II. — IN PARK LANE.

'Pon my soul, it's extraordinary. Why thia wretched bicycling. Monstrous! I alwaya thought it was confined to the lower orders, and now every house I go to they talk of nothing else, and the papers are full of it. I see there's a girl had a nasty smash in Batter— What, Muriel ? Oh I thought you did. As I was Baying, it serves her-* What'a tho matter wita

your hand, child ? Yes, I see you have. I didn't suppose you'd tied it up for nothing. How did you— Oh, fell on it, did you ? You really ought to be more careful, you know. You're not looking at all well today. "What is it? Not taking enough exercise, I expect. Were you riding this morning? Yes, " riding, papa." Did you tro to the Park? Well, of course, Hyde Park. What else could I— Oh, you didn't? I thought not; and as for Algy I don't know what's come over the boy. He's given up riding altogether. I don'c like to see my horses en-ting their heads off. Juafc ring, dear, and I'll— Oh, here is Smithson. Tell Wallace that Lady Muriel will want her mare to-morrow morning. I suppose in a year or two we shall be ordering round your bicycle, eh, Muriel ? No, no letters. I wonder now what the man was smiling afc. Did you? Ob, I forgot, you haven't seen him before j only came this afternoon ; I think he'll mado a very good but—My dear child, what iathe matter? You're positively scarlet. Nonsense, } Muriel, it must be something. Tell me, dear, what it — But I insist. Oh, you've seen him before. Is that all? What a curioua girl you are. You didn't apeak to him, I presume. You did ? But where ? How could — In Baiterßea Park ? Good Heavens! What on earth were you— You don't mean to say so. You riding a bicycle? Well 'pon'my boul. But how is it you never told me ? You weren't alone, were you? Oh, Algy waa there. Algy, too! So that's why he's— Well, I'm — You astonish me. Come here, my child. Why on earth didn't you tell me? Afraid? Np, of course, I'm not angry, pusB — at least, not about you riding. There, there. This bicycling must be extremely fascinating if it makes you want to deceive your old dad. That's not like my little girl. Bless me, child, how like your poor mother you're getting. Never mind. Let's hear all about'it. Who initiated you into these — ah— mysteries ? Susan Wessex ? That'a Susan all over. Always must be first over the fence. But you don't mean to ,say Bhe rides one herself ? Heavens — and she's fourteen stone if she's an ounce. I must come, and — does she — does she wear knickerbockers ? Ob dear ! Kow funny. Bub you haven't told me about Smithson. How did you come to — Ob, Algy, wp.b it ? Ha ! wo must get some one with an older head to go with you. You see it was rather indiscreet of you to — Of course I'm not going to stop your riding, you little goose. I'll Bay that for Sunan with all her faults : she don't do a thing unless she knows it is the thing. And do you really like it ? I wonde r what it feels like. Riding on air, docs it ? But surely you haven't got so far as that yet, have you? What? Bertie Eastbourne! He said so. Why, he's the best man across country in England. Do you raean positively to tell me he's one of 'fern? Well, 'pon my soul, if Bartie Eastbourne bicycles, I believe I shall have to it myself. But I'll givo Master Algy a talking to, young scoundrel