A profusion of glass and plate glittered on the dining-table of Mr. Dare. It was six o'clock, and they had just sat down. Mrs. Dare, in a light gauze dress and blonde head-dress, sat at the head of the table. There was a large family of them; four sons and four daughters; and all were present; also Miss Benyon, the governess. Anthony and Herbert sat on either side Mrs. Dare; Adelaide and Julia, the eldest daughters, near their father; the four other children, Cyril and George, Rosa and Minny, were between them. Mr. Dare was helping the salmon. In due course, a plate, followed by the sauce, was carried to Anthony. "What's this! Melted butter! Where's the lobster sauce?" "There is no lobster sauce to-day," said Mrs. Dare. "We sent late, and the lobsters were all gone. There was a small supply. Joseph, take the anchovy to Mr. Anthony." Mr. Anthony jerked the anchovy sauce off the salver, dashed some on to his plate, and jerked the bottle back again. Not with a very good grace: his palate was a dainty one. Indeed, it was a family complaint. "I wouldn't give a fig for salmon without lobster sauce," he cried. "I hope you won't send late again." "It was the cook's fault," said Mrs. Dare. "She did not fully understand my orders." "Deaf old creature!" exclaimed Anthony. "Anthony, there's cucumber," said Julia, looking down the table at her brother. "Ann, take the cucumber to Mr. Anthony." "You know I never eat cucumber with salmon," grumbled Anthony, in reply. And it was not graciously spoken, for the offer had been dictated by good-nature. A pause ensued. It was at length broken by Mrs. Dare. "Herbert, are you growing more reconciled to office-work?" "No; and never shall," returned Herbert. "From ten till five is an awful clog upon one's time; it's as bad as school." Mr. Dare looked up from his plate. "You might have been put to a profession that would occupy a great deal more time than that, Herbert. What calls have you upon your time, pray, that it is so valuable? Will you take some more fish?" "Well, I don't know. I think I will. It is good to-day; very good with the cucumber, that Anthony despises." Ann took his plate up to Mr. Dare. "Anthony," said that gentleman, as he helped the salmon, "where were you this afternoon? You were away from the office altogether, after two o'clock." "Out with Hawkesley," shortly replied Anthony. "Yes; it is all very well to say, 'Out with Hawkesley,' but the office suffers. I wish you young men were not quite so fond of taking your pleasure." "A little more fish, sir?" asked Joseph of Anthony. "Not if I know it." The second course came in. A quarter of lamb, asparagus and other vegetables. Herbert looked cross. He had recently taken a dislike to lamb, or fancied he had done so. "Of course there's something coming for me!" he said. "Oh, of course," said Mrs. Dare. "Cook knows you don't like lamb."