deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that was even
redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate as he came up,
and then he always managed to find some fault in them which would
disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem to be such a very easy
matter, after all. However, when our turn came the little man was much
more favourable to me than to any of the others, and he closed the door
as we entered, so that he might have a private word with us.
This is Mr. Jabez Wilson, said my assistant, and he is willing to
fill a vacancy in the League.
And he is admirably suited for it, the other answered. He has every
requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so fine. He
took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and gazed at my hair
until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he plunged forward, wrung my
hand, and congratulated me warmly on my success.
It would be injustice to hesitate, said he. You will, however, I am
sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution. With that he seized
my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I yelled with the pain.
There is water in your eyes, said he as he released me. I perceive
that all is as it should be. But we have to be careful, for we have
twice been deceived by wigs and once by paint. I could tell you tales
of cobbler s wax which would disgust you with human nature. He stepped
over to the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that
the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below,
and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there was
not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the manager.
My name, said he, is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of the
pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are you a
married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?
I answered that I had not.
His face fell immediately.
Dear me! he said gravely, that is very serious indeed! I am sorry
to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the propagation and
spread of the red-heads as well as for their maintenance. It is
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