Mr. Mulliner Stories by P. G. Wodehouse

Author:P. G. Wodehouse [Wodehouse, P. G.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Tags: Humorous stories, English, England -- Fiction, Short stories, San Francisco (Calif.) -- Fiction, Interpersonal relations -- Fiction, Mulliner family (Fictitious characters) -- Fiction
Publisher: Standard Ebooks
Published: 2023-07-05T15:03:43+00:00

The Story of William

Miss Postlethwaite, our able and vigilant barmaid, had whispered to us that the gentleman sitting over there in the corner was an American gentleman.

“Comes from America,” added Miss Postlethwaite, making her meaning clearer.

“From America?” echoed we.

“From America,” said Miss Postlethwaite. “He’s an American.”

Mr. Mulliner rose with an old-world grace. We do not often get Americans in the bar-parlour of the Anglers’ Rest. When we do, we welcome them. We make them realize that Hands Across the Sea is no mere phrase.

“Good evening, sir,” said Mr. Mulliner. “I wonder if you would care to join my friend and myself in a little refreshment?”

“Very kind of you, sir.”

“Miss Postlethwaite, the usual. I understand you are from the other side, sir. Do you find our English countryside pleasant?”

“Delightful. Though, of course, if I may say so, scarcely to be compared with the scenery of my home State.”

“What State is that?”

“California,” replied the other, baring his head. “California, the Jewel State of the Union. With its azure sea, its noble hills, its eternal sunshine, and its fragrant flowers, California stands alone. Peopled by stalwart men and womanly women. …”

“California would be all right,” said Mr. Mulliner, “if it wasn’t for the earthquakes.”

Our guest started as though some venomous snake had bitten him.

“Earthquakes are absolutely unknown in California,” he said, hoarsely.

“What about the one in 1906?”

“That was not an earthquake. It was a fire.”

“An earthquake, I always understood,” said Mr. Mulliner. “My Uncle William was out there during it, and many a time has he said to me, ‘My boy, it was the San Francisco earthquake that won me a bride.’ ”

“Couldn’t have been the earthquake. May have been the fire.”

“Well, I will tell you the story, and you shall judge for yourself.”

“I shall be glad to hear your story about the San Francisco fire,” said the Californian, courteously.

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