Mrs. Bob: A Novel — page 134: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

126 ENTER MRS. BOB. we have not been asleep,’’ remarks Bob’s best man, whose turn it is to smile. “With pleasure, gentlemen. It seems there is a inistake of a day in this business. Even the lady has, all her life, deceived herself—she has labored under the impression that her birthday is the twenty-second of October, when, in truth, the previous day is the time. ‘Sacre!’ cries the Frenchman. “AHumbug'!’’ exclaims Cornelius. ‘“Nevertheless, gentlemen, this fact can be proven. - The child was born at ten minutes to twelve on the night of the twenty-first, and is so recorded in my official report on file in the proper quarter at Rich- mond. Ido not know how to account for their mis- take, except that the father and nurse paid no atten- tion to time for an hour or so afterward, and natur- ally fell into the error of believing that the child’s birthday was the twenty-second.”’ It is Bob’s turn to beam now, and he smiles upon the baffled conspirators as though he believes in the old adage that he laughs loudest who laughs last. As for Merle and Colonel Corneel, consternation has taken the place of satisfaction—they stand there utterly demoralized, gaping at each other in a stupid manner. The decided way in which Doctor Hammond has spoken tells them he means every word, and that his decree effectually disposes of their case. For the time being they are beaten —whether such men will give up the game at once is a question the future must decide. CONNIE OOOKS.(E@) im