The Broken Pitcher

The Broken Pitcher
The Jewel Casket
The Kitchen Maid
The Lady of Shalott
"I suppose you thought someone had stolen it,"said Elvira.
　　Her limpid blue eyes met him.
　　"We had discovered its loss," said Mr. Bollard. "Thank you very much, MissElvira, for bringing it back so promptly."
　　"I felt simply awful about it when I found it,"said Elvira. "Well, thank you very much,Mr. Bollard, for being so nice about it."
　　"A lot of strange mistakes do occur," said Mr. Bollard. He smiled at her in an avuncular manner. "We won't think of it any more. But don't do it again, though." He laughed with the airof one making a genial little joke.
　　"Oh no," said Elvira, "I shall be terribly careful in future."
oil painting
　　She smiled at him, turned and left the shop.
　　"Now I wonder," saidMr. Bollard to himself, "I really do wonder…”
　　One of his partners, who had been standing near,moved nearer to him.
　　"So she did take it?" hesaid.
　　"Yes. She took it all right," said Mr. Bollard.
　　"But she brought it back," his partner pointed out.