Probably, he laid it before her,
instead of before the Master, because she was the first of the
two whom he happened to encounter. It is doubtful if he realized
that a parasol is a purely feminine adjunct;--although the
Mistress always declared he did.
She picked up the gift and looked it over with real admiration.
It was a flimsily beautiful and costly thing; whose ivory handle
was deftly carven and set with several uncut stones; and whose
deep fringe of lace was true Venetian Point.
"Why, Laddie!" she exclaimed, in wondering delight. "Where in the
world did you get this? Look!" she went on, as her husband came
in from his study. "See what Laddie brought me! I saw him coming
down the drive with something in his mouth. But I had no idea
what it was. Isn't it a beauty? Where do you suppose he--?"
"As long as motorists go around curves at forty miles an hour,"
decided the Master, "so long their piled-up valuables are likely
to be jostled out of the tonneau. I found a satchel, last week,
at the curve, up there, you remember; and a hat, the week before.
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