I don't think I've ever told you, rny dears--you,
Raymond, and you, Joan, about rather curious
little business that happened some years ago now.
I don't want to seem vain in any Way-of course I
know that in comparison with yoa young people.
I'm not clever at all--Raymond w rites those very
modern books all about rather un. pleasant young
men and women--and Joan paint those very remarkable
pictures of square peOPle with curious
bulges on themmvery clever of yoh, my dear, but
as Raymond always says (only qhite kindly, because
he is the kindest of nephews) I am hopelessly
Victorian. I admire Mr. Alma-Tdema and Mr.
Frederic Leighton and I suppose to you they seem
hopelessly vieux jeu. Now let me ee, what was I
saying? Oh, yes--that I didn't Want to appear
vain--but I couldn't help being just a teeny weeny
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bit pleased with myself, because, just by applying
a little common sense, I believe I really did solve a
problem that had baffled cleverer heads than
mine. Though really I should have thought the
whole thing was obvious from the beginning ....
Well, I'll tell you my little story, and if you
think I'm inclined to be conceited about it, you
must remember that I did at least help a fellow
creature who was in very grave distress.
The first I knew of this business was one eve-ning