Bingle." Diggs was quite red in the face. "Ahem! I am also
compelled to say that Melissa has given notice, sir."
"Melissa! Impossible! Not MELISSA?"
"Melissa Taylor, sir."
"Why, she is the last one that I--" Words failed him. He looked quite
helpless in the face of this staggering blow.
"I 'ad a great deal of difficulty, sir, in persuading 'er to leave
your employment. She was most determined about it at first, sir."
"You--YOU, Diggs, persuaded her to leave? 'Pon my soul, that was
rather a shabby thing to--"
"Oh, I trust you won't look at it in the wrong way, sir," cried Diggs
in distress. "Melissa 'as merely consented to become my wife, sire. No
offence intended, I hassure you. No underhanded work on my--"
"God bless my soul!" cried Mr. Bingle. "Melissa is going to marry
you?"
"Yes, sir. Next Thursday week, sir. And also, sir, I am obliged to
announce that Miss Stokes, the first nurse-maid, is to become Mrs.
Watson on the same day."
Mr. Bingle sat down again. "My gracious!"
"She also gives notice, sir, through me.
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