Mrs. Crashaw: "Very pretty." Taking her tea. "I hope it isn't complete, either, without the English painter you promised us." Mrs. Somers: "No, indeed! And a great many other people besides. But haven't you met him yet? I supposed Mrs. Roberts--" Mrs. Crashaw: "Oh, I don't go to _all_ of Agnes's fandangoes. I was to have seen him at Mrs. Wheeler's--he is being asked everywhere, of course--but he didn't come. He sent his father and mother instead. They were very nice old people, but they hadn't painted his pictures." Lawton: "They might say his pictures would never have been painted without them." Bemis: "It was like Heine's going to visit Rachel by appointment. She wasn't in, but her father and mother were; and when he met her afterwards he told her that he had just come from a show where he had seen a curious monster advertised for exhibition--the offspring of a hare and a salmon. The monster was not to be seen at the moment, but the showman said here was monsieur the hare and madame the salmon." Mrs. Roberts: "What in the world did Rachel say?" Lawton: "Ah, that's what these brilliant anecdotes never tell. And I think it would be very interesting to know what the victim of a witticism has to say." Mrs. Curwen: "I should think you would know very often, Doctor." Lawton: "Ah, now I should like to know what the victim of a compliment says!" Mrs. Curwen: "He bows his thanks." Dr. Lawton makes a profound obeisance, to which Mrs. Curwen responds in burlesque. Miller: "We all envy you, Doctor." Mrs. Miller: "Oh yes. Mrs. Curwen never makes a compliment without meaning it." Mrs. Curwen: "I can't say that quite, my dear. I should be very sorry to mean all the civil things I say. But I never flatter gentlemen of a certain age." Mrs. Miller, tittering ineffectively: "I shall know what to say to Mr. Miller after this." Mrs. Crashaw: "Well, if you haven't got the man, Mrs. Somers, you _have_ got his picture, haven't you?" Mrs. Somers: "Yes; it's on my writing-desk in the library. Let me--" Lawton: "No, no; don't disturb yourself! We wish to tear it to pieces without your embarrassing presence. Will you take my arm, Mrs. Crashaw?" Mrs. Bemis: "Oh, let us all go and see it!" Roberts: "Aren't you coming, Willis?" Campbell, without looking round: "Thank you, I've seen it." Mrs. Somers, whom the withdrawal of her other guests has left alone with him: "How could you tell such a fib?" Campbell: "I could tell much worse fibs than that in such a cause." Mrs. Somers: "What cause?" Campbell: "A lost one, I'm afraid. Will you answer my question, Amy?" Mrs. Somers: "Did you ask me any?" Campbell: "You know I did--before those people came in." Mrs. Somers: "Oh, _that_! Yes. I should like to ask _you_ a question first." Campbell: "Twenty, if you like." Mrs. Somers: "Why do you feel authorized to call me by my first name?" Campbell: "Because I love you. Now will you answer me?" Mrs. Somers, dreamily: "I didn't say I would, did I?"