"Why not ring, my love?" said her ladyship. "No, no, no, I would rather fetch it myself," said his lordship, who left the room, went up two or three stairs, stopped, listened, and then toddled back to where, on a tray, the remains of a tongue stood in company with an empty vegetable dish or two. There was a great piece, too, of the point quite six inches long lying detached, for the doctor's arm was vigorous, and he had cut the tongue quite through. Such a chance was not offered every day, and it would not only make a couple or three pleasant snacks when his lordship was hungry, but it would keep. He listened: all was still, and, cautiously advancing, he secured the piece of dry firm tongue. Then he started as if electrified. Robbins' cough was heard on the stairs, and his lordship dabbed the delicacy away in the handiest place, and turned towards the door as the butler appeared in the hall. "What game's he up to now?" said Robbins to himself, as, with his memory reminding him of the trouble he had had to sponge and brush the tails of the old gentleman's dress coats, which used to be found matted with gummy gravies and sauces, so that the pocket linings had had to be several times replaced, he opened the dining-room door. "I--I--I think I left my handkerchief upstairs Robbins," said his lordship humbly; and he toddled in again and retook his place. The luncheon ended, the party rose and stood chatting about the room, while the doctor was in earnest conversation with Maude and her ladyship. "Nothing at all," he said firmly, "but low spirits from mental causes, and these are matters for which mothers and fathers must prescribe." "It's--it's--doosed hard to be so short of money," said his lordship to himself as he was left alone; and then thinking of the tongue, he tried to get to the door, but a look from her ladyship sent him back. "It's-- it's--doosed hard. I shall have to go to little Tryphie again. He, he, he! her ladyship don't know," he chuckled, "I've--I've left her five thousand in my will, bless her. I wish she'd buy me some more Bath buns." He crossed to where the bright little girl was standing, and she advanced to him directly. "Can you lend me another five shillings, Tryphie?" he whispered. "Yes, uncle," she replied, nodding and smiling. "I'll get it and put it under the china dog on the right hand cabinet." "That's right, my dear; it's--it's--it's so doosed awkward to be so short, and I don't like to ask her ladyship." "Well, I must go," said the doctor loudly. "Good-bye all. Good-bye, my dear," he continued to Maude. Then he pinched Tryphie's cheek, shook hands with the old man and was gone. "So clever," sighed her ladyship, "that we look over his rough, eccentric ways. I believe that I should not have been here now if it had not been for his skill." "Then damn the doctor," said Tom to himself, for he was in a very unfilial mood.