A GREEN YOUNG BACHELOR.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue VI, 10 August 1895, Page 184

A GREEN YOUNG BACHELOR.

He was a bachelor, while the other man npon whom he was calling was a young married man, and the visitor felt very much like a fish out of water. The year before they had been inseparable chums, with the same tastes, the same habits. Now everything was changed. The young Benedick seemed to be just as sociable and talkative as ever, but his old chum was ill at ease. He felt like making a bolt for the door, and with difficulty restrained himself. His nerves were at high tension, and he sat watching the door pathetically, expectantly, like the felon awaiting the coming of his executioner. The door opened finally and a woman wearing a white cap and apron entered with a very young baby in her arms. * Here be is,’ said the married one. * Here’s my son and heir. Isn’t he a beauty, Jack, eh ?’ Jack made some idiotic remark about the baby’s sex. * Ob, yes,’ said the father. * Hadn’t you heard ? It’s a boy, of course. ’ * Certainly, I might have known,’ Jack gasped. * It’s got hair on its bead.’ The father laughed, but Jack looked solemn. * Biby’s got a tooth,’ said the father, proudly. * Only one !’ queried the bachelor, and then be had a bright idea. *Of course, that needn’t worry you,’ he said ; * I should think you might get a false set pretty cheap. Such a small kid, y’know.’