"I am at my work already. Do you think that I cannot work and talk at the same time? Bobbin, my boy, if you would open that window, do you think it would hurt your complexion?" Bobbin opened the window. "Paddy, where were you last night?" Paddy was Mr. Geraghty. "I was dining, then, with my sister's mother-in-law." "What,--the O'Kelly, the great legislator and Home Ruler, whom his country so loves and Parliament so hates! I don't think any Home Ruler's relative ought to be allowed into the service. Do you, Mr. Jerningham?" "I think Mr. Geraghty, if he will only be a little more careful, will do great credit to the service," said Mr. Jerningham. "I hope that Æolus may think the same." Æolus was the name by which a certain pundit was known at the office;--a violent and imperious Secretary, but not in the main ill-natured. "Æolus, when last I heard of his opinion, seemed to have his doubts about poor Paddy." This was a disagreeable subject, and it was felt by them all that it might better be left in silence. From that time the work of the day was continued with no more than moderate interruptions till the hour of luncheon, when the usual attendant entered with the usual mutton-chops. "I wonder if Lord Hampstead has mutton-chops for luncheon?" asked Crocker. "Why should he not?" asked Mr. Jerningham, foolishly. "There must be some kind of gilded cutlet, upon which the higher members of the aristocracy regale themselves. I suppose, Roden, you must have seen his lordship at lunch." "I dare say I have," said Roden, angrily. He knew that he was annoyed, and was angry with himself at his own annoyance. "Are they golden or only gilded?" asked Crocker. "I believe you mean to make yourself disagreeable," said the other. "Quite the reverse. I mean to make myself agreeable;--only you have soared so high of late that ordinary conversation has no charms for you. Is there any reason why Lord Hampstead's lunch should not be mentioned?" "Certainly there is," said Roden. "Then, upon my life, I cannot see it. If you talked of my mid-day chop I should not take it amiss." "I don't think a fellow should ever talk about another fellow's eating unless he knows the fellow." This came from Bobbin, who intended it well, meaning to fight the battle for Roden as well as he knew how. "Most sapient Bobb," said Crocker, "you seem to be unaware that one young fellow, who is Roden, happens to be the peculiarly intimate friend of the other fellow, who is the Earl of Hampstead. Therefore the law, as so clearly laid down by yourself, has not been infringed. To return to our muttons, as the Frenchman says, what sort of lunch does his lordship eat?" "You are determined to make yourself disagreeable," said Roden. "I appeal to Mr. Jerningham whether I have said anything unbecoming." "If you appeal to me, I think you have," said Mr. Jerningham.