I receive an insulting Christmas card. We spend a pleasant Christmasat Carrie's mother's. A Mr. Moss is rather too free. A boisterousevening, during which I am struck in the dark. I receive an extraordinaryletter from Mr. Mutlar, senior, respecting Lupin. We miss drinking outthe Old Year.
December 24. - I am a poor man, but I would gladly give ten shillingsto find out who sent me the insulting Christmas card I received thismorning. I never insult people; why should they insult me? The worstpart of the transaction is, that I find myself suspecting all my friends.
The handwriting on the envelope is evidently disguised, being writtensloping the wrong way. I cannot think either Gowing or Cummingswould do such a mean thing. Lupin denied all knowledge of it, and Ibelieve him; although I disapprove of his laughing and sympathising withthe offender. Mr. Franching would be above such an act; and I don'tthink any of the Mutlars would descend to such a course. I wonder if Pitt,that impudent clerk at the office, did it? Or Mrs. Birrell, the charwoman,or Burwin-Fosselton? The writing is too good for the former.
Christmas Day. - We caught the 10.20 train at Paddington, and spent apleasant day at Carrie's mother's. The country was quite nice andpleasant, although the roads were sloppy. We dined in the middle of theday, just ten of us, and talked over old times. If everybody had a nice,UNinterfering mother-in-law, such as I have, what a deal of happinessthere would be in the world. Being all in good spirits, I proposed herhealth, and I made, I think, a very good speech.
I concluded, rather neatly, by saying: "On an occasion like thiswhether relatives, friends, or acquaintances, - we are all inspired withgood feelings towards each other. We are of one mind, and think only oflove and friendship. Those who have quarrelled with absent friendsshould kiss and make it up. Those who happily have not fallen out, cankiss all the same." I saw the tears in the eyes of both Carrie and her mother, and must sayI felt very flattered by the compliment. That dear old Reverend JohnPanzy Smith, who married us, made a most cheerful and amusing speech,and said he should act on my suggestion respecting the kissing. He thenwalked round the table and kissed all the ladies, including Carrie. Ofcourse one did not object to this; but I was more than staggered when ayoung fellow named Moss, who was a stranger to me, and who hadscarcely spoken a word through dinner, jumped up suddenly with a sprigof misletoe, and exclaimed: "Hulloh! I don't see why I shouldn't be on inthis scene." Before one could realise what he was about to do, he kissedCarrie and the rest of the ladies.
Fortunately the matter was treated as a joke, and we all laughed; but itwas a dangerous experiment, and I felt very uneasy for a moment as to theresult. I subsequently referred to the matter to Carrie, but she said: "Oh,he's not much more than a boy." I said that he had a very largemoustache for a boy. Carrie replied: "I didn't say he was not a niceboy."December 26. - I did not sleep very well last night; I never do in astrange bed. I feel a little indigestion, which one must expect at this timeof the year. Carrie and I returned to Town in the evening. Lupin camein late. He said he enjoyed his Christmas, and added: "I feel as fit as aLowther Arcade fiddle, and only require a little more 'oof' to feel as fit as a500 pounds Stradivarius." I have long since given up trying tounderstand Lupin's slang, or asking him to explain it.
December 27. - I told Lupin I was expecting Gowing and Cummingsto drop in to-morrow evening for a quiet game. I was in hope the boywould volunteer to stay in, and help to amuse them. Instead of which, hesaid: "Oh, you had better put them off, as I have asked Daisy and FrankMutlar to come." I said I could not think of doing such a thing. Lupinsaid: "Then I will send a wire, and put off Daisy." I suggested that apost-card or letter would reach her quite soon enough, and would not be soextravagant.
Carrie, who had listened to the above conversation with apparentannoyance, directed a well-aimed shaft at Lupin. She said: "Lupin, why do you object to Daisy meeting your father's friends? Is it because they arenot good enough for her, or (which is equally possible) SHE is not goodenough for them?" Lupin was dumbfounded, and could make no reply.
When he left the room, I gave Carrie a kiss of approval.
December 28 - Lupin, on coming down to breakfast, said to his mother:
"I have not put off Daisy and Frank, and should like them to join Gowingand Cummings this evening." I felt very pleased with the boy for this.
Carrie said, in reply: "I am glad you let me know in time, as I can turnover the cold leg of mutton, dress it with a little parsley, and no one willknow it has been cut." She further said she would make a few custards,and stew some pippins, so that they would be cold by the evening.
Finding Lupin in good spirits, I asked him quietly if he really had anypersonal objection to either Gowing or Cummings. He replied: "Not inthe least. I think Cummings looks rather an ass, but that is partly due tohis patronising 'the three-and-six-one-price hat company,' and wearing areach-me-down frock-coat. As for that perpetual brown velveteen jacketof Gowing's - why, he resembles an itinerant photographer."I said it was not the coat that made the gentleman; whereupon Lupin,with a laugh, replied: "No, and it wasn't much of a gentleman who madetheir coa............