The Bunch of Violets | Page 7

won't be interested in so strenuous a subject as
ju-jitsu."
"Oh, yes, I am, though," protested the blind man. "I am interested in
everything."
"But surely-"
"I can't actually see the ju-jitsuing, you would say? Quite true, but do
you know, Miss Darragh, that makes a great deal less difference than
you might imagine. I have my sense of touch, my sense of taste, my
hearing-even my unromantic nose-and you would hardly believe how
they have rallied to my assistance since sight went. For instance
xx2 7
They had reached the chair to which Miss Darragh had piloted him. To
guide him into it she had taken both his hands, but now Carrados had
gently disengaged himself and was lightly holding her left hand
between both of his.
"For instance, Hulse and I were speaking of you the other day-forgive
our impertinence-and he! happened to mention that you disliked rings

of any sort and had never worn one. His eyes, you see, and perhaps a
careless remark on your part. Now I know that until quite recently you
continually wore a ring upon this finger."
Silence had fallen upon the other men as they followed Carrados's
exposition. Into the moment of embarrassment that succeeded this
definite pronouncement Mr. Hulse threw a cheerful note..
"Oh ho, Max, you've come a cropper this time," he exclaimed. "Miss
Darragh has never worn a ring. Have you? "
"N-o," replied Violet, a little uncertain of her ground, as the blind man
continued to smile benevolently upon her.
"A smooth and rather broad one, he continued persuasively. "Possibly a
wedding ring?"
"Wait a minute, Violet, wait a minute," interposed Darragh,
endeavouring to look judicially wise with head bent to one side. He
was doubtful if Violet could carry the point without incurring some
suspicion, and he decided to give her a lead out of it. "Didn't I see you
wearing some sort of plain ring a little time ago? You have forgotten,
but I really believe Mr. Carrados may be right. Think again."
"Of course!" responded Violet readily; "how stupid of me! It was my
mother's wedding ring. I found it in an old desk and wore it to keep it
safe. That was really how I found out that I could not bear the feel of
one and I soon gave it up."
"What did I say?" claimed Darragh genially. "I thought that we should
be right."
"This is really much interesting," said Kato. "I very greatly like your
system, Mr. Carrados.Ó
"Oh, it's scarcely a system," deprecated Max goodnaturedly; "it's
almost second nature with me now. I don't have to consider, say,
'Where is the window?' if I want it. I know with certainty that the

window lies over here." He had not yet taken the chair provided, and
suiting the action to the word he now took a few steps towards the wall
where the windows were. "Am I not right?" And to assure himself he
stretched out a hand and encountered the heavy curtains.
"Yes, yes," admitted Violet hurriedly, "but, oh, please do be careful, Mr.
Carrados. They are most awfully particular about the light here since
the last raid. We go in fear and trembling lest a glimmer should
escape."
Carrados smiled and nodded and withdrew from the dangerous area. He
faced the room again.
"Then there is the electric light-heat at a certain height of course."
"True," assented Kato, "but why electric light?"
"Because no other is noiseless and entirely without smell; think-gas, oil,
candles, all betray their composition yards away. Then"-indicating the
fireplace--"I suppose you can only smell soot in damp weather? The
mantelpiece"-touching it-"inlaid marble. The wallpaper"-brushing his
hand over its surface-"arrangement of pansies on a crisscross
background"; lifting one finger to his lips-"colour scheme largely green
and gold."
Possibly Mr. Hulse thought that his friend had demonstrated his
qualities quite enough. Possibly-at any rate he now created a diversion:
"Engraving of Mrs. Siddons as the Tragic Muse, suspended two feet
seven inches from the ceiling on a brassheaded nail supplied by a
one-legged ironmonger whose Aunt Jane-"
All contributed a sufficiently appreciative laugh- Carrados's not the
least hearty-except Kato, whose Asiatic dignity was proof against the
form of jesting.
"You see what contempt familiarity breeds, M'iss Darragh," remarked
the blind man. "I look to you, Mr. Kuromi, to avenge me by putting

Hulse in a variety of undignified attitudes on the floor."
"Oh, I shan't mind that if at the same time you put me up to a trick or
two," said Hulse, turning to the Japanese.
"You wish?"
"Indeed I do. I've seen the use of it. ItÕs good; it's scientific. When I
was crossing, one of the passengers held up a bully twice his weight in
the neatest way possible. It looked quite simple, something like this,