Should he once more enter the
lottery--risk the price of a luncheon? He had resolved not to do so,
but every moment the temptation gained upon him. "Hyjene." By the
by, how did one spell the word? _H-y_--he grew uncertain at the
third letter. Misspelling, he knew, would invalidate his chance; on
the other hand, he must post as soon as possible; already thousands
of answers were on their way to the office of the editor.
He was sitting in a London Bridge tram-car. At its next stoppage
there entered a staid old gentleman, with whom he had made the
Cityward journey for years; they always nodded to each other. This
morning the grave senior chanced to take a place at his side, and a
greeting passed between them. Christopher felt a sudden impulse,
upon which he acted before timidity and other obstacles could
interfere.
"Would you tell me, sir," he whispered, "the c'rect spelling of
_hyjene_; meaning 'ealthiness, you know?"
"Why, what a queer thing!" answered his neighbour with all
friendliness. "I've just been reading the word in the paper.
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