"A grim big one and a little rather jolly one. That evening at Lady Presteign's. The grim big one talked about it to me in a corner, because her sister's too young to know about such things--only she's nearly my age, and I don't see why--and told me she believed it was a perfectly ridiculous quarrel about a horrible maidservant, who was quite out of the question. And of course this Miss Bax doesn't know what _we_ know." "My darling Madeline!" A large amused maternal smile irradiates the speaker. "_Know_! What a funny child you are!" "Well. Mumsey, don't we know, or as good as know? Do you really think Uncle Christopher made all that up? _I_ don't." "It was the action of his brain, my dear, not his own doing at all! Let me see--what's it called?--something ending in _ism_." "Hypnotism?" "No! Oh dear, I shall remember directly...." "Mesmerism?" "No, no!--do be quiet and let me think...." "Vegetarianism?" "You silly girl! I had just got it, and you put it out of my head ... There! ... Stop! ... No! ... Yes--_I've_ got it. _Unconscious Cerebration_! How on earth did I manage to forget that? Unconscious Cerebration, of course!" "But it doesn't end in _ism_. It ends in _ation_." "Never mind, child! Anyhow, I _have_ recollected it, and it's a thing one ought to be able to say. Don't let's forget it again." To Lady Upwell this world was a theatre, and the name of the piece was Society. She was always on the sweetest terms with the Management, and her benevolence to the worn-out and broken-down actors was heartfelt. Still, one had to talk one's part, and dress it. "Unconscious Cerebration" was useful gag. "But," said she, returning to the main point, "I don't see what you can _do_, child." "No more do I, Mumsey dear. But I may be able to do something for all that. I should like to try, anyhow. I'm sure the picture was right. Besides, see what that Miss Bax said. You may say what you like, but she _is_ Mrs. Aiken's first cousin, after all!" "No doubt she's right, dear! And no doubt the picture's right." Her ladyship retires with the dignity of one withdrawing herself from mundane matters, Olympuswards. But one can never touch pitch and not be defiled. Some has clung to her, for she adds absently, "I wonder where Thyrza Presteign picks up all these odd people." In the end she forsakes speculation to say, "Of course have the carriage, darling; I don't see that any harm can come of it. Only don't get mixed up."