“The first time I saw the goldy bits,” said Ginger, “I was nine years old. And I thought all we’d got to do was to get them out with a nutpick, and our fortune would be made. And I got the Army and Navy Stores Catalogue and turned up the Oriental Section, and decided I’d have a Moorish lamp and a Benares tray, and a sandalwood box, and an octagonal coffee-stool inlaid mother-of-pearl, and some joss-sticks, and wear a pink veil with gold spangles, and lie on three striped cushions all day long, and eat Turkish Delight, and be like the Arabian Nights.” “Then you’d got a jolly thin idea of the Arabian Nights,” said Gypsy. “What a lot you talk.” “I choose nice things to talk about anyhow,” said Ginger, “not dull ones like upside-down gas-mantles.” “I’m not going to turn gas-mantles upside-down any more,” said Gypsy. “It’s cruel, because they’re subject to apoplexy. I’ve been getting a better idea lately. I’m going to paint Still Life.” “What sort of still life?” “Quite a new line. I shall paint Wax-Fruit-Pieces, and Artificial-Flower-Pieces. It’s never been done.” “Yes it has been,” said Ginger. “The Pavement Artists all do it. The profession’s absolutely overcrowded, and it’s the rottenest Way and Mean we’ve discussed yet. I’m tired of Ways and Means, because while I go one way you mean another, and if we can’t find some sort of tandem profession we might as well stop being married at once. Let’s go for a walk to Golder’s Green and give cocoanuts to the emus. I wonder what the weather’s like.” “Go and look for yourself,” said Gypsy. “I looked first thing this morning,” said Ginger. “Don’t be sulky. It’s your turn.” Gypsy went outside and came in again, and said rather excitedly, “Squally and showery. What was it this morning when _you_ looked?” “Set fair,” said Ginger. “Eureka!” said Gypsy. “What does that mean?” “Come and play marbles with the cocoanuts,” said Gypsy, “and I’ll tell you.” [Illustration: GYPSY AND GINGER KEEP HOUSE] When Gypsy said “Eureka!” he meant that he had found a Way and a Mean in which he and Ginger could work tandem and keep house together. It was really the ideal profession for newly-married couples, for it couldn’t be worked single, or by two men, or two women; it literally involved a house to be kept turn and turn about; and the balance between the Way and the Mean was so exquisitely adjusted, that while Gypsy went one Way, Ginger Meant something else entirely, and _vice versa_. This was the idea, which before long will probably be adopted by young brides and bridegrooms all over England.