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McCutcheon, George Barr, 1866-1928

"Mr. Bingle"

I shall have to ask you to
engage a special companion for Kathleen, and I have arranged with a
Madame Dufresne to--"
"See here, Force, I--"
"--to call on you this week. She is an excellent woman, refined and a
lady of very good family in France. She is a friend of Rouquin's, in
the bank. He knew the family in Paris. I took the liberty of telling
him that you wanted to engage a French LADY to act as companion to
your eldest child. I trust you will see to it that Kathleen is not
allowed to romp about with the rest of those--er--the other children.
This Madame Dufresne will--What's that?"
Mr. Bingle had recovered his breath. His voice was high and shrill
with indignation.
"You will oblige me, Force, by permitting me to run my household as I
see fit. If this Madame What's-her-name comes out here to see me, I
shall pack her off to town again so quick her head will swim. We have
brought Kathleen up as if she was our own child, sir, and I don't care
to have any suggestions from you, sir. What's more, I must say--
although it's against the rules of the telephone company--you are a
damned fine man to be giving advice to me about the raising of your
child.


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