THE MUSEUM OF FURNITURE
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‘ We must be patient,’ said Bender. ‘ The furniture won’t run away.’ There did not seem to be any end to the collection. ‘ Look ! Look ! ’ shouted Liza, pulling Hippolyte by the sleeve. ‘ Do you see that writing-table ? Wouldn’t it be lovely in our room ? ’ ‘ Charming,’ said Bender. ' I’ve been in here before,’ said Liza as they came into the red drawing-room. ‘ There’s nothing in here.’ But to her surprise the two men, who had so far seemed to be quite indifferent to the furniture, sud denly stopped at the door. ‘ What are you standing here for ? Come on. I’m tired.’ ' Wait a minute,’ said Hippolyte as he dropped her arm. The room was packed with furniture. The Gambs chairs stood all round the walls and round a table in the middle of the room. A divan was also surrounded by chairs. Their bent legs and comfortable backs were strikingly familiar to Hippolyte. Bender looked inquir ingly at him and Hippolyte flushed with excitement. ‘ You’re tired,’ he said to Liza. ‘ Just sit down here while we have a look round. It seems quite an interesting room. ’ Liza sat down while the adventurers moved away to the window. ‘ Are these the ones ? ’ asked Bender in a low voice. ‘ They look hke it, but we shall have to examine them,’ said Hippolyte cautiously. ' Are all the chairs here ? ’ ‘ I’ll just count them. Wait a bit. . . . Wait a bit.’ Hippolyte looked at the chairs and counted them one by one. ‘ Twenty chairs,’ he said at last; ‘ but I don’t understand. There should be only ten.’ ‘ But have a good look at them. Perhaps they are not your chairs.’ 8
