My 'usband asked 'er to get the address of a
gentleman who 'e thinks might 'elp 'im--Major Radmore. I don't suppose
as what you've ever 'eard of 'im, sir?"
Radmore said quietly, "I know Major Radmore rather well. May I ask your
name?"
She hesitated, then answered:--"Mrs. Piper, sir. My 'usband was Colonel
Crofton's dog-breeding assistant, and 'e's about to start for 'imself in
the same line, if 'e can get the money that's been promised 'im. If 'e
can't get that money--well, 'e'll have to go into service again, and 'e
thought that Major Radmore, who's a kind, generous gentleman, might 'elp
'im to a job."
Radmore felt amused, interested, and, yes, a little touched. Evidently
his distaste for Piper had not been reciprocal.
"I suppose to start dog-breeding requires a good bit of money," he said.
"Well, sir, it's this way. Fancy dogs fetch a good bit more money than
they did. Such a lot o' breeding stopped during the War. But what with
one thing and another, and prices 'aving gone up so, Piper says 'twould
be no good going in for such a thing under a matter of L500. But we've
got good hopes of getting the money," said the woman composedly.
"Have you indeed?"
Then he felt rather ashamed of the little game he was playing with this
no doubt excellent woman.
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