“I haven’t!” yelled Giles. “It’s false! No one’s bleated for yiles—I mean mears. Not since you did. An’ no one’ll ever blinkin’ well bleat again. . . . There! I’ll make you a present of that. I’ve wanted to say it for months, but I didn’t know how.” Hurriedly Forsyth replaced his receiver. “And, as for _Baladeuse_—well, I’m thankful she’s still on top—thankful, my darling. D’you hear? Thankful. . . . Of course, if at any time, in a mad moment, you felt like another dart at jolly old _’Ard an’ Bright_ . . .” For a second his wife hesitated. Then she bent to the mouthpiece. “_Ma-a-a._” The noise Captain Festival made, descending the stairs, brought Katharine and Forsyth pell-mell into the hall. Husband and wife stared at each other open-mouthed. . . . The lawyer watched them in silence, one hand to his lips, the other behind his back. Presently their gaze shifted and fell upon Forsyth. “But what a man!” said Giles, laying his hands upon the lawyer’s left arm. “What a friend!” said Katharine, laying hers upon his right. “What a trustee!” said Forsyth, raising his eyes to heaven. “He’s going to dine with us to-night,” said Giles. “Yes,” said Katharine. “And we’ll show him our bathroom.” “Two’s company,” said Forsyth, shaking his head. “Thanks to you,” said Giles, shaking his arm. “So’s three,” said Katharine, shaking the other. “That’s over,” said Forsyth, and sighed. “Here’s the Deed.” “Oh, we’re tired of that,” said Katharine. “Yes,” said Giles. “We’re going to give it to Beatrice.” SPRING SPRING Willoughby Gray Bagot, gentleman, sat back in his chair. From where he was, he could look conveniently out of the broad windows, across the shadowy lawns, and on to the stately timber of the sheltered park. He did so thoughtfully, tapping his teeth with his pen. Presently he frowned and, leaning forward, set a sheet of notepaper before him and proceeded to write. _Dear Sirs_,— _I believe your advice to be good._ _I will therefore accept Mr. Harp’s offer and sell him Chancery—park, residence and furniture, as it stands, for forty-five thousand pounds, on one condition._ _The condition is this._ _The purchaser shall take into his service an individual whom I will indicate, to perform the duties of Groom of the Chambers at Chancery, at a wage of fifty pounds a year. This man shall receive no board, but shall be permitted to occupy the lodge at the West gate of the park, rent-free. So long as he behaves himself and faithfully discharges his office, Mr. Harp shall retain him in his service._ _I appreciate that this is an unusual request, but the man knows the house and its contents as I know them myself and is deeply attached to them. The service he will give will be worth having._