"
"Oh, yes," said Janet, "of course--the vicar. He's certain to have one."
"But who'll ask him?" said Horace.
"Janet will," said Mary.
"Oh, no," said Janet.
"Well, it's your affair," said Robert.
"Not more than Mary's," said Janet. "Mary, will you ask him?"
"No," said Mary, "I don't think I could. Not the vicar. I might be willing
to ask the curate."
"What a ripping idea!" said Jack. "Of course the curate would be much
easier. We'll ask where he lives."
They did so at a small tobacconist's that was open, and found that the
curate had rooms at Myrtle Villa, quite close by.
They therefore marched towards Myrtle Villa, but first arranged to draw
lots to see who should ring the bell and make the inquiry. They tore up
paper of different sizes, and it was agreed that the holders of the longest
and the shortest pieces should go--the longest to put the question, the
shortest to ring and lend support. The result was that Mary drew the
longest and Gregory the smallest.
Gregory was furious. "I don't even know what it's all about," he complained.
They told him.
"How rotten!" he said. "What's it matter?"
Mary, however, led him off to the house, and he rang the bell with vigour.
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