The Project Gutenberg eBook, Reginald, by Saki

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Title: Reginald

Author: Saki

Release Date: August 30, 2006 [eBook #2830]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)

***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK REGINALD***

Transcribed from the 1911 Methuen & Co. (third) edition by David Price,
email ccx074@pglaf.org. Proofing by Margaret and David Price.

REGINALD

BY
SAKI
(H. H. MUNRO)

THIRD EDITION

METHUEN & CO. LTD.
36 ESSEX STREET W.C.
LONDON

_First Published_ . . . _September 1904_

_Second Edition_ . . . _July 1905_

_Third Edition_ . . . _1911_

_These sketches originally appeared in the_ "_Westminster Gazette_," _to
the courtesy of the Proprietor of which the author is indebted for
permission to republish them_.

Contents:

Reginald

Reginald on Christmas Presents

Reginald on the Academy

Reginald at the Theatre

Reginald's Peace Poem

Reginald's Choir Treat

Reginald on Worries

Reginald on House-Parties

Reginald at the Carlton

Reginald on Besetting Sins

Reginald's Drama

Reginald on Tariffs

Reginald's Christmas Revel

Reginald's Rubaiyat

The Innocence of Reginald

REGINALD

I did it--I who should have known better. I persuaded Reginald to go to
the McKillops' garden-party against his will.

We all make mistakes occasionally.

"They know you're here, and they'll think it so funny if you don't go.
And I want particularly to be in with Mrs. McKillop just now."

"I know, you want one of her smoke Persian kittens as a prospective wife
for Wumples--or a husband, is it?" (Reginald has a magnificent scorn for
details, other than sartorial.) "And I am expected to undergo social
martyrdom to suit the connubial exigencies"--

"Reginald! It's nothing of the kind, only I'm sure Mrs. McKillop Would
be pleased if I brought you. Young men of your brilliant attractions are
rather at a premium at her garden-parties."

"Should be at a premium in heaven," remarked Reginald complacently.

"There will be very few of you there, if that is what you mean. But
seriously, there won't be any great strain upon your powers of endurance;
I promise you tha