"By the way, have a cigarette while I am busy with this." He tossed his cigarette case to Godfrey, who inspected it and the contents curiously. "Are they to smoke, sah?" "Certainly, light up, if Mrs. Gloame doesn't object." "It used to be we had nothing but tobacco to smoke," said Godfrey Gloame, lighting a cigarette from a coal in the grate. "Will it make him ill?" asked Mrs. Gloame. "He has a very frail stomach." "I think the smoke will mix very nicely with his stomach," said Gates. "For want of something better to say, I'll ask you how you spent the summer." "For my part, I stayed at home with the old complaint: nothing to wear," said Mrs. Gloame. "I am curious to know where my husband was, however." "Well, I didn't need anything to wear," said he, naively. "My summer was spent a long way from heaven, and I have just this much to say to you mortals: you did not know what you were talking about when you said that the past summer was hotter than--excuse me, Beatrice; I almost uttered a word that I never use in the presence of a lady." "You don't mean to say you have gone to--to--oh, you poor boy!" cried Mrs. Gloame, throwing her arms about her husband's neck. "Not yet, dearest," said Godfrey consolingly. "I was merely spending a season with an old friend, Harry Heminway. He asked about you and I told him you were so far above him that he ought to be ashamed to utter your name. Ah, Mr. Garrison has finished the toddy." Garrison ceremoniously filled the goblets and handed them to his guests. Godfrey Gloame arose grandly, holding his glass aloft. "Well, Mr. Garrison," he said, "I can only say to you that I am glad to have met you and that I am sincerely sorry we have not been friends before. You have given us a very pleasant evening, quite unexpectedly, and I drink to your very good health." "Hold, sir!" cried Gates. "I am sure you will allow me to suggest an amendment. Let us drink to the everlasting joy of the fair woman who is your wife. May her shadow never grow less." "Thank you," said she, "I bid you drink, gentlemen, and share the joy with me. Ah!" as she set the goblet down, "that is delicious." "Superb!" cried her husband. "My dear sah, it thrills me, it sends a warmth through me that I have not experienced in a hundred and thirty-five years. How long do you expect to remain at Gloaming?" "One week longer." "I shall come again if you will but prepare another like this." "You swore that this would be your last, Godfrey; are you as vacillating as ever!" cried his wife. "I--oh, dearest, a few of these won't hurt me--you know they won't," came earnestly from the other wraith. "If you touch another I shall despise you forever and forever," she cried firmly. "Take your choice, Godfrey Gloame." "It's plain that I am doomed to eternal punishment, whichever way you put it," mourned poor Godfrey. "Take away the glasses, Mr. Garrison. I'll no more of it if my wife so disposes."