HOW HE WAS COMPLIMENTED.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue XXI, 13 November 1897, Page 672

HOW HE WAS COMPLIMENTED.

‘ John,’ said Mrs Harkins, ‘ I heard nice compliment for you to-day.’ Mr Harkins put his paper down, twisted up the ends of his moustache, looked pleased and said :— ‘ Well, that’s nothing so remarkable. I receive compliments nearly every day. Mrs Harkins went on sipping her tea ami her husband waited for her to resume. Finally he said : — ‘ Well, why don’t you tell me what it was? Who was it that complimented me ?’ ‘ Oh, you couldn’t guess in a week.’ ‘ Mrs Deering?’ ‘No.’ ‘ Not Bessie Fallington ?’ he rather eagerly suggested. ‘ No.’ ‘ Oh. well, of course if there’s any secret aliout it I don’t care to hear what it was or who said it.’ There isn’t any secret about it,’ Mrs Harkins sweetly replied. ‘Mr Hannaford told me that every time he and I met lie became thoroughly convinced that you were a man of excellent taste.’ John Harkins then shoved his hands downin hispockets and walked out upon the verandah to ruminate.