It suffered
local modifications and exaggerations, but it was clearly
an American product. The English accent was thoroughly
affected, especially the broad "a." The time may come
when Elgin will be at considerable pains to teach itself
the broad "a," but that is in the embroidery of the
future, and in no way modifies the criticism of Dora
Milburn.
Lorne Murchison, however, was invited to the dance. The
invitation reached him through the post: coming home from
office early on Saturday he produced it from his pocket.
Mrs Murchison and Abby sat on the verandah enjoying the
Indian summer afternoon; the horse chestnuts dropped
crashing among the fallen leaves, the roadside maples
blazed, the quiet streets ran into smoky purple, and one
belated robin hopped about the lawn. Mrs Murchison had
just remarked that she didn't know why, at this time of
year, you always felt as if you were waiting for something.
"Well, I hope you feel honoured," remarked Abby. Not one
of them would have thought that Lorne should feel especially
honoured; but the insincerity was so obvious that it
didn't matter. Mrs Murchison, cocking her head to read
the card, tried hard not to look pleased.
"Mrs Milburn. At Home," she read. "Dancing. Well she
might be at home dancing, for all me! Why couldn't she
just write you a little friendly note, or let Dora do
it? It's that Ormiston case," she went on shrewdly.
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