Marriage is a lottery," said Mr. Polly.

She found it so," said Annie. "Would you like some jam?"

I'd like an egg," said Mr. Polly. "I'll have two. I've got a sort of

feeling--. As though I wanted keeping up.... Wasn't particularly good

sort, this Mr. Polly?"

He was a wearing husband," said Annie. "I've often pitied my

sister. He was one of that sort--"

Dissolute?" suggested Mr. Polly faintly.

No," said Annie judiciously; "not exactly dissolute. Feeble's more

the word. Weak, 'E was. Weak as water. 'Ow long do you like your eggs

boiled?"

Four minutes exactly," said Mr. Polly.

One gets talking," said Annie.

One does," said Mr.-Polly, and she left him to his thoughts.

What perplexed him was his recent remorse and tenderness for Miriam.

Now he was back in her atmosphere all that had vanished, and the old

329

The History of Mr Polly