Part 54 (1/2)
”I want to see Mr Martin,” said the silvery voice
Martin felt pleased, and said _sotto voce_, ”Chuck it, Turtle; you're out of it, old boy” Ain a tre voice what he could do for her
”I want to order fifty pounds of tea to be made up in half-pound packets and sent to my aunt, Lady Lysle, 16B Eaton Square,” said Aneta ”The tea will be paid for on delivery, and please let it be the very best I also want a hundred pound-packets of the best currants, and a hundred pound-packets of the best sugar”
”De down the order
”Loaf, I think,” said Aneta ”Will you kindly send everything within the next day or two to Eaton Square, 16B, to Lady Lysle?”
”I will enter her ladyshi+p's name in my book Yes, it shall be done,”
said Martin
He looked at Aneta, and Aneta looked straight back at him
”Mr Martin,” she said suddenly, ”I aie Howland May I have a little conversation with you in your private roo!” said Martin ”To be sure, miss,”
he added--”Turtle, you see that this order is _h_executed It's for her ladyshi+p, Lady Lysle, 16B Eaton Square--Come this way, my lady”
”I am only Miss Lysle,” said Aneta
All the attendants in the shop gazed in wonder as the beautiful girl and the excited Martin went into the little parlor at the back of the business establishment There Martin stood with his hands behind him; but Aneta sank into a low chair
”I want to ask you a great favor, Mr Martin,” said the girl She looked full up at hiht that he had never in his life seen suchand lovely blue eyes before ”She bowlsto himself ”I hate the aristocrats, but so in my power,his hand to his chest
”I think,” said Aneta--”indeed, I a shop--that you are a good business man”
”Well, now, there's no doubt on that point, Miss--Miss Lysle”
”But you would like to extend your custom?” said Aneta
”Business is always business to me,” replied Martin
”Well, the fact is, it lies in roceries froreat deal of coets thehtest doubt that she would not object to have theood, Miss Lysle, and I a that her ladyshi+p ordered should have my very best attention; in fact, I should s for her If I ht let you into a business secret, s; they don't, so to speak, appreciate them”
”I quite understand that,” said Aneta ”Of course Lady Lysle would require the very best”
”She should have the best, s should be punctually delivered; just an order overnight, and my cart would convey the day”
”Yes, it could be arranged,” said Aneta
”Then, perhaps,before hienuine West End shop, being his, as well as the profitable establishht be so kind as to recommend me to others”
”It is possible,” said Aneta coldly; ”but of course I can only speak for my aunt herself” Then she added, ”And even for her I cannot quite speak, although I believe the e order to-day”