Then, exploded Wotton, who the devil was it who
stole the ring? Life is artistic in parts, but not as a whole; its likebroken bits
of different works of art.
Then, what do you mean, asked Pond, by talking
about running andclimbing? Its a serious thing, said Pond, gravely, to accuse a
soldier ofrunning away. Well, the man he was put next to wasCount Kranz, the
Hungarian scientist and social reformer. Somewould count his first comment a
peculiar extension of the laugh. He did not take his ideas of real lifefrom farces
like The Private Secretary. Wotton stared at him steadily for an instant, and then
said inrather a new voice: Go on.
I have not the wildest notion what you mean, said
the vicar ofHanging Burgess briskly. Unfortunately, I know only too well what became
of him. And the young Republican sprang uprigid at the challenge. The real mystery
of the ring, said Pond gravely, is not where itwent to, but where it came from. I
gotengaged to Joan Varney this morning. Pray forgive me, he said, I have been paying
an afternoon call. I could not give up the secret pleasure of being slandered. Got
to look in at Whitehall and I fancy Im late already.
And the young Republican sprang uprigid at the
challenge.
Poor Pitt-Palmer had put in a very large lump of
sugar just before;but the sugar would melt. I might even believe thatGahagan saw six
sea-serpents; but not that each was larger than thelast. I think I should really
like to wear an episcopal ringor, better still, a Papal ring.
If it were for duels hewould have a duelling-sword;
and probably two in a case. Afterreading through a stack of out-of-date magazines
and mixing up allthe results? Then, what do you mean, asked Pond, by talking about
running andclimbing?
Because it would be so very like a romance,
retorted Wotton.