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On this particular day I was told a special visitor was coming to tea unexpectedly. So there was a great deal of cleaning around and hoovering, and I was sent out to buy a cake and some fig roll biscuits. I was told to answer the door and show the gentleman upstairs. As the grandfather clock chimed 4 o'clock, the doorbell rang and there stood a very interesting looking gentleman with a large bouquet of roses. He looked vaguely familiar. I introduced myself and showed him into the drawing room. I was then asked to bring in the tea and then arrange the roses. The trolley was laid and all I had to do was make the tea. As I wheeled the trolley into the drawing room the mysterious gentleman (to me only) jumped up and said, "Here let me help you. Aren't you going to join us?” I excused myself and explained I still had a case history to type out before tomorrow. I was full of curiosity as to who he was. Later on I arranged the roses in a cut glass vase I found in the kitchen and decided I would bring them in to the drawing room. They were received with much admiration and thanks. "I hear you are leaving to get married soon,” the visitor said. "May I offer you my congratulations; you're going to be greatly missed. I must go now - we are meeting tonight at the theatre aren't we?” he said. As they rose to see him out, he dashed back into the room again to shake my hand goodbye; then, taking one red rose out of the vase he handed it to me saying, with a laugh, "My wedding gift to you. I don't think we were introduced. I know you’re Daphne. My name is Samuel Beckett.”
Daphne Flannery |