"Reflect!" urged the broker’s man, gently resisting Percy’s efforts to eject him by leaning back and digging his heels into the carpet. "What’s the good? If you dot me one and fling me out, it merely means fourteen days without the option for assaulting a sheriff’s officer in the execution of his duty, on top of the distraint. If you don’t believe me," he added, clinging affectionately to the leg of the piano, which he was passing at the moment, "go and read the warrant." [Illustration: "REFLECT!" URGED THE BROKER’S MAN, GENTLY RESISTING PERCY’S EFFORTS TO EJECT HIM] "He is right, Percy," said Mr. Welwyn. "Leave him alone. A sheriff’s officer!" he muttered brokenly to himself, as his son relinquished his endeavour to speed the parting guest. "And I was once Fellow and Tutor!" "A broker’s man!" wailed Mrs. Welwyn, putting an arm round each of her daughters. "And I brought you up respectable, dearies!" "A broker’s man!" echoed Tilly, "and Lady Adela coming here this afternoon!" This was too much for that unpolished but chivalrous youth Percy. Something must be done, for Tilly’s sake. "Dad," he said desperately, laying a hand on his father’s shoulder, "ain’t you got no money nowhere?" Mr. Welwyn shook his head helplessly. "Mother?" said Percy. "I’ve got about fifteen shillings," said Mrs. Welwyn, brightening up at the prospect of action. "How much did that insect"--she indicated the minion of the law, now warming himself at the fireplace--"say it was?" "Seventeen-seventeen-six," replied the insect, with the air of one letting off a telling repartee. "There is n’t so much money in all the world!" whispered Amelia despairingly. "I’ve got six-and-threepence," said Percy, diving into his pockets. A thought occurred to Mrs. Welwyn. "Father," she enquired of the motionless figure on the sofa, "did n’t you tell me that Gandy and Cox’s bill was only a matter of seven pounds?" "It was, it was," said Mr. Welwyn, "but--I ordered a little more, to keep them quiet." Mrs. Welwyn, admirable woman, wasted no time in useless reproaches. Instead, she turned once more upon the broker’s man. "Now, look here," she said; "I want to ask a favour of you. We’re expecting company here this afternoon. Will you go away, and come back in the evening?" "And find the front door bolted!" replied the broker’s man affably. "No, I don’t _think_! I prefer to remain. I’ve been in this profession for some time now--ever since I abandoned _the_ profession, in fact--and I know a thing or two. I’m sorry," he added, "to disoblige a lady, and I hope you won’t take offence where none was intended. Try to look on the bright side of things. I might ’ave been a auction." Percy broke in upon these comfortable words. "Look here," he said; "will you go away for a quid?"