No Expense Spared

The wallpaper has been hung in the new library.

“Won’t Foxe be pleased when he sees it?” says Mr Boxe. “I believe it looks exactly as he hoped.”

Miss Pond is less enthusiastic.

“Have you seen the bill from the decorators?” she says. “If this spree continues, you and Mr Foxe may have to begin taking in lodgers.”

“Badgers?” says Mr Boxe, absently.

“LODGERS,” says Miss Pond.

“Do you mean beavers, I think?” says Mr Boxe. “They live in lodges. Except for one that I knew at school. Heckert. Heckert Beaver. We all called him Toothy. Hell of a good fellow, Toothy. Made a pile in lumber and retired. Lives in an hotel in Paris now. Rive gauche, I believe. Rue de something. I wonder what old Toothy is up to these days. Make a note, Miss Pond, that we ought to send him a letter this week.”

“I’m going home,” says Miss Pond.