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We
are going to motor to Athens, and you must come with us. You can tell us
all about everything as we pass by."
I looked grave. "Easter is late next year."
"What does that matter? Say you'll come."
"Alas! my dear Mrs. Glenn," I said, with a smile, "I have an engagement
at Easter--a very important one."
"I thought the wedding was not to take place till June."
"It isn't the wedding," said I.
"Then break the engagement."
"It's beyond human power," said I.
She held up her bracelet, from which dangled some charms.
"I think you're a ----" And she pointed to a little golden pig.
"I'm not," I retorted.
"What are you, then?"
"I'm a gentleman in a Greek tragedy."
We laughed and parted, and I went on my way cheered by the encounter.
I had spoken the exact truth, and found amusement in doing so. One has
often extracted humour from the contemplation of the dissolution of
others--that of the giant in "Jack the Giant-killer" for instance, and
the demise of the little boy with the pair of skates in the poem.


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