“If she had an inkling of her late chauffeur’s pretensions, a strait waistcoat would hardly meet the occasion. How I wish we could take you with us to America; but it’s not in the bond. Martin has a great deal of capital invested out there; he is not very strong, and after we have put all his business through, we are going to spend the winter in Florida. We shall not be back before April, and then I will keep my promise. I am so sorry, dear old boy, that I shall be out of the country while you are ‘dreeing your weird’ and not able to help you; but of course Uncle Dick’s great object is for you to learn absolute independence. I will give you my permanent address and a code-book, and if anything happens for good or bad, you must cable. We have let this house for six months--to friends. We may as well have it aired, and have the good rent! Every one lets now--even dukes and duchesses! I wonder what your next billet will be? You had better advertise.” “What shall I say?” he asked. “Let me think.” After a moment she rose and went to her writing-table, scribbled for a few moments, and brought him the following: ‘As chauffeur, smart young man, experienced, aged 26, steady, well recommended, wants situation. Apply---- Office of this paper.’ “Just send this to the _Car_, the _Morning Post_, the _Field_, _Country Life_; it will cost you altogether about twenty-five shillings, and I’ll pay for it.” “No, no, Sis,” he protested, “that’s not in the bond. And, as it is, you are keeping up my club subscription.” “Pooh!” she exclaimed, “what’s that? I hope this time you will get into a nice rich family who have a good car, and that you will be able to have a little more variety than in your last place, and no young ladies. You will be sure and write to me every week?” At this moment the door opened and Sir Martin Kesters entered, and paused in the doorway. “Hullo, Owen, glad to see you,” holding out his hand; “so you are back?” “Only temporarily--for a day or two.” “You’ve done six months, and the worst is over.” “Well, I hope so; but one never can tell.” “Upon my word, I don’t know how you stood it. Leila described the place. I’m not a gay young fellow of six-and-twenty, and a week would have seen me out of it; but six months----” and he gazed at him in blank astonishment. “Oh, well,” apologetically, “I’ve learnt all sorts of things. I’m quite a fair gardener, and can clip a hedge too; I know how to physic dogs, and fasten up the back of a blouse.” “_Owen!_” exclaimed his sister, “_I_ am present!” “It was only Mrs. Hogben; she had no woman in the house, and Tom’s hands were generally dirty, and she said she looked upon me as her other son. She is a rare good old soul, and I’d do more for her than that.” “You must feel as if you’d been underground, and come up for a breather,” said his brother-in-law. “My breather must be short; but I’m not going to take any situation with ladies.”