The Wheels of Chance

If you (presuming you are of the sex that does such things)--if you had gone into theDrapery Emporium--which is really only magnificent for shop-of Messrs. Antrobus &Co.--a perfectly fictitious "Co.," by the bye--of Putney, on the 14th of August, 1895, hadturned to the right-hand side, where the blocks of white linen and piles of blankets riseup to the rail from which the pink and blue prints depend, you might have been servedby the central figure of this story that is now beginning. He would have come forward,bowing and swaying, he would have extended two hands with largish knuckles andenormous cuffs over the counter, and he would have asked you, protruding a pointedchin and without the slightest anticipation of pleasure in his manner, what he mighthave the pleasure of showing you. Under certain circumstances--as, for instance, hats,baby linen, gloves, silks, lace, or curtains--he would simply have bowed politely, andwith a drooping expression, and making a kind of circular sweep, invited you to "stepthis way," and so led you beyond his ken; but under other and happier conditions,--huckaback, blankets, dimity, cretonne, linen, calico, are cases in point,--he would haverequested you to take a seat, emphasising the hospitality by leaning over the counterand gripping a chair back in a spasmodic manner, and so proceeded to obtain, unfold,and exhibit his goods for your consideration. Under which happier circumstances youmight--if of an observing turn of mind and not too much of a housewife to beinhuman--have given the central figure of this story less cursory attention.