In the Best Families

He pressed the button twice-the beer signal-leaned back, and frowned at me. I didn't see the frown, absorbed as I was in the dictionary, but it was in his tone of voice.

“What are you looking up? he demanded.

“Oh, just a word, I said casually. “Checking up on our client. I thought she was illiterate, her calling you handsome-remember? But, by gum, it was merely an understatement. Here it is, absolutely kosher: "Handsome: moderately large." For an example it gives "a handsome sum of money." So she was dead right, you're a handsome detective, meaning a moderately large detective. I closed the dictionary and returned it to its place, remarking cheerfully, “Live and learn!

It was a dud. Ordinarily that would have started him tossing phrases and adjectives, but he was occupied. Maybe he didn't even hear me. When Fritz came from the kitchen with the beer, Wolfe, taking from a drawer the gold bottle opener that a pleased client had given him, spoke.

“Fritz, good news. We're getting some of Mr Darst's sausage-four pounds.

Fritz let his eyes gleam. “Ha! To-day?

“Any moment. Wolfe poured beer. “That raises the question of cloves again. What do you think?

“I'm against it, Fritz said firmly.

Wolfe nodded. “I think I agree. I think I do. You may remember what Marko Vukcic said last year-and by the way, he must be invited for a taste of this. For

Monday luncheon?

“That would be possible, Fritz conceded, “but we have arranged for shad with roe-

“Of course. Wolfe lifted his glass and drank, put it down empty, and used his handkerchief on his lips. That, he thought, was the only way for a man to scent a handkerchief. “We'll have Marko for the sausage at Monday dinner, followed by duck Mondor. He leaned forward and wiggled a finger. “Now about the shallots and fresh thyme: there's no use depending on Mr Colson. We might get diddled again. Archie will have to go-

At that point Archie had to go answer the doorbell, which I was glad to do. I fully appreciate, mostly anyhow, the results of Wolfe's and Fritz's powwows on grub when it arrives at the table, but the gab often strikes me as overdone. So

I didn't mind the call to the hall and the front door There I found a young man with a pug nose and a package, wearing a cap that said “Fleet Messenger