'Lady Castlerich will excuse my clothes. You know, Lady Castlerich, that I'm very poor. Some years ago I lost my money, and since then I've been merely an expense. It is most humiliating to have to ask your wife for twopence to take the omnibus.' 'My dear Major,' said Harding, 'what on earth is the matter with you? You've been working too hard.... But, by the way, I forgot to tell you I've just finished a novel which I shall be glad if you'll copy it for me. You haven't shown me your machine. Come.' 'I shall be very glad to have your work to do, Harding, but I can't talk to you about it just at present. You must excuse me, I've an explanation to make. Oh, do not think of going, dear Lady Castlerich, do not let my costume frighten you away. These are my working clothes. The last money I took from my wife was sixteen pounds to buy a type- writing machine. I made five shillings last week, four shillings went towards paying for the machine. When I am clear of that debt I shall make enough to pay for my room and my meals. I had always intended then to put my house in order.' 'But, my dear Major,' said Lady Castlerich, trying to get past him, 'your house is charmin', the drawing-room is perfectly charmin', I don't know a more charmin' room.' 'The room is well enough, it is what one hears in the room.' 'Hears in the room! Major, I'm sure our conversation has been most agreeable.' 'You'll agree with me that it is a little hard that my daughter should have to sit in her bedroom all day.' 'But we should be charmed to have her here,' expostulated the old lady. 'She was here just now, but she ran away.' 'Yes; she ran away from the conversation.' 'Ran away from the conversation, Major! Now what were we talking about, Olive?' 'I don't know.... He's in one of his mad humours, pay no attention to him, Lady Castlerich,' said Mrs. Lahens. 'Perhaps you were talking about your lovers, Lady Castlerich,' said the Major. 'I'm sure I couldn't have been, for the fact is I don't remember.' 'I really must be going,' said Harding; 'goodbye, Mrs. Lahens. And now, Major, come with me and we'll talk about the typing of the novel.' 'Later on, Harding, later on, I've to speak about my daughter. There's so much she doesn't understand. You know, Lady Castlerich, she has been very strictly brought up.' 'How very strange. I must really be going. Good-bye, Major, charmin' afternoon, I'm sure.' 'I hope,' he said, turning to Lilian, 'that I can congratulate you on your engagement?' 'My engagement. With whom.... Mr. St. Clare? What makes you think that? We are not engaged; we're merely friends.' 'It was given out that you were engaged. Mr. Harding said it was physically impossible for you to see more than you did of each other.' 'My dear Major,' said Harding, 'you're mistaken; I never said such a thing, I assure you--'