128 MADGE’S MISTAKE,

Really, wonders will never cease to-day!
As I take the glass into my hand I see a
delicious knob of ice bobbing about on the
top of the beverage, which on tasting I
actually find to be champagne and seltzer.
After my first sip I look up incredulous
towards Father—surely he must have made
a mistake and given me what he intended
for himself. |

No! he evidently notices my look of as-
tonishment, for he smiles and says: “I
thought the champagne would do you good,
and the ice really cannot hurt you to-day,
for the drinks are all perfectly warm without,
they manage things so badly at these sort of
places; why cannot they put the bottles in
ice, I wonder?—at anyrate,” he adds, turning
and looking at Tiny, “it’s better than eating
ice!”

He has seen them then, I think to myself,
will he blow up Tiny in front of her admirer,
I wonder? but I have not long to wonder,
for Father, taking my empty glass from me,
says: “You are better now, ar’n’t you? you