"You ought to go on the stage; that's what you ought to do!" said Charlie. For a fraction of a second, Hilda dreamt of the stage, and then Mrs. Orgreave said softly, like a mother: "I'm quite sure Hilda would never dream of any such thing!" IV There was an irruption of Jimmie and Johnnie, and three of the Swetnam brothers, including him known as the Ineffable. Jimmie and Johnnie played the rôle of the absolutely imperturbable with a skill equal to Charlie's own; and only a series of calm "How-do's?" marked the greetings of these relatives. The Swetnams were more rollickingly demonstrative. Now that the drawing-room was quite thickly populated, Hilda, made nervous by Mr. Orgreave's jocular insinuation that she herself was the object of the Swetnams' call, took refuge, first with Janet, and then, as Janet was drawn into the general crowd, with Charlie, who was absently turning over the pages of "In Memoriam." "Know this?" he inquired, friendly, indicating the poem. "I don't," she said. "It's splendid, isn't it?" "Well," he answered. "It's rather on the religious tack, you know. That's why I'm reading it." He smiled oddly. "Really?" He hesitated, and then nodded. It was the strangest avowal from this young dandy of twenty-three with the airy and cynical tongue. Hilda thought: "Here, then, is another!" And her own most secret troubles recurred to her mind. "What's that about Teddy Clayhanger?" Charlie cried out, suddenly looking up. He had caught the name in a distant conversation. Janet explained how they had seen Edwin, and went on to say that it was impossible to persuade him to call. "What rot!" said Charlie. "I bet you what you like I get him here to-morrow night." He added to Hilda: "Went to school with him!" Hilda's face burned. "I bet you don't," said Janet stoutly, from across the room. "I'll bet you a shilling I do," said Charlie. "Haven't a penny left," Janet smiled. "Father, will you lend me a shilling?" "That's what I'm here for," said Mr. Orgreave. "Mr. Orgreave," the youngest Swetnam put in, "you talk exactly like the dad talks." The bet was made, and according to a singular but long-established family custom, Tom had to be stake-holder. Hilda became troubled and apprehensive. She hoped that Charlie would lose, and then she hoped that he would win. Looking forward to the intimate bedroom chat with Janet which brought each evening to a heavenly close, she said to herself: "If he _does_ come, I shall make Janet promise that I'm not to be asked to recite or anything. In fact, I shall get her to see that I'm not discussed." CHAPTER V EDWIN CLAYHANGER I The next evening, Mr. and Mrs. Orgreave, Hilda, Janet, and Alicia were in the dining-room of the Orgreaves awaiting the advent at the supper- table of sundry young men whose voices could be heard through open doors in the distance of the drawing-room.