"Sent on from the bank, sir," he said, "with Mr. Jones' compliments,
and are you going there this morning?"
"My compliments to Mr. Jones, and he may expect me in five minutes," I
replied.
The letters were all marked "Immediate"; one from the signorina, one
from the colonel, one from the barracks. I opened the last first and
read as follows:
"The officers of the Aureataland Army have the honor to remind Mr.
John Martin that they hope to have the pleasure of his company at
supper this evening at ten o'clock precisely. In the unavoidable
absence of his Excellency, the President, owing to the pressing cares
of state, and of the Hon. Colonel McGregor from indisposition, the
toast of the Army of Aureataland will be proposed by Major Alphonse
DeChair.
"P.S.--Cher Martin, speak long this night. The two great men do not
come, and the evening wants to be filled out. _Tout a vous_,
"ALPHONSE DECHAIR."
"It shall be long, my dear boy, and we will fill out your evening for
you," said I to myself, well pleased so far.
Then I opened the signorina's epistle.
"DEAR MR. MARTIN [it began]:
Will you be so kind as to send me in
the course of the day _twenty dollars in
small change_? I want to give the
school children a scramble.
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