"Don’t quite perceive how it’s to blame," said Koko. "Don’t you! Why, if he tackled me face to face, I could have filled him up with all sorts of promises of reformation, and sent him off for his drive feeling sorry that I was going away. Instead of which he went off in a beastly huff. I should have reminded him--as touching the window--that some fellows charge their paters and grandpaters hundreds and even thousands. I should have explained that twelve pounds was a very light let-off. Hang the telephone!" "The question is," said Koko, "do you think he means it?" "Yes," replied the Long ’Un, with conviction. "Then," continued the other, "what are you going to do?" "_I_ dunno! Turn sporting reporter very likely!" "Well," said Koko, "with your knowledge of sporting matters you might be able to earn about twelve and sixpence a week just now--say by reporting football matches. That would hardly keep a man of your expensive tastes." Jim laughed. "Couldn’t I do the fights at the National?" he suggested. "No, my boy; you’ve had no experience--of reporting, I mean. But, seriously, Jim, can’t you get a doctoring job?" "I shall have a look round for something," said Jim. Koko gazed at the ceiling. "If it hadn’t been for that girl," he mused sorrowfully, "this would never have happened. You were off your head about her----" "Absolutely!" agreed Jim. Koko sighed. "Women are always at the bottom of man’s undoing. Avoid them in future, Jim." "Not I," said Jim; "I’m not built that way." "Well, you’ve lost any chance you had of getting this one," said Koko. Jim’s face fell. "By George! I hadn’t thought of that. I’m glad I didn’t send that wire about Canadian Pacifics. We shall meet on more level terms now." "Upon my word," said Koko, "I think you are the most optimistic man I have ever met. Here are you--disowned--kicked out--cut off without a shilling by your grandfather--and you are still thinking----" "I still hope," breathed Jim, devoutly. Mr Somers walked towards the door. However, he turned back to say one more thing. "If, Jim, you should find it necessary to approach another kind of relative----" "I fear I shall find it necessary," sighed the Long ’Un. "I was going to say," continued Koko, "that if you want to pawn anything, _I’ll_ pawn it for you. I can nip in easier than you." And with that he went quietly on his way. Having shaved and dressed, Jim set out, as a matter of course, for the hospital. As he walked along he reviewed the situation, and the awkwardness of his present plight became clearly apparent to him.