Bim became furious. He ran at full speed along the Embankment, viciously poking with his wand every love-lorn pair: and on, through Story’s Gate into St. James’s Park. As he went he passed scores of strolling lovers. He put his spell on every pair of them. Through the Green Park he hurried, and across Piccadilly into Hyde Park. Wherever he went he carried magic, and produced its consequences. Love’s multitudinous tongues were no longer tied. Thoughts hitherto dumb found glowing speech. The gnome had run amok with a vengeance. "Darling, darling, darling, darling!" said one young man in an ecstasy increasing with every syllable. "Darling, darling, darling!" came the feminine answer, in tones that thrilled. Then another sweet voice was gently borne upon the westering wind. "I know where there’s the teeniest duck of a saucepan set which will just suit our wee little homey." The stars twinkled. "Does-um!" was the masculine answer. Still the stars twinkled. "Ted," said Emma, "do you love me, love me?" She had been to a series of popular melodramas, and saw herself languid and rapturous. She asked questions emotionally, with the emphasis that comes with repetition. "That I do just, old gell!" came the reply. "And will you, my heart, always love me, love me?" "S’welp me! old gell, I will!" "Then another, Ted." There was a noise as of machine guns barking at a blue distance. Emma seemed satisfied. Bim was pleased. He had not been looking for words in purple, and so was unable to feel disappointed. But as he worked from chair to chair he could not help accumulating the wish that more of the minor poet had been born in the common people. The prose that came was better than a mere bald narrative of time; but, surely, was not worthy of Aphrodite’s doves. Gradually the better came. It was the work of unconscious imitation. Examples were being quickly followed in many directions. Several cabmen, having earned their day’s requirements and a little over, were now using their cabs and still unwearied horses to convey for short distances fares too poor to pay for a ride. Motor-cabs and private cars actually buzzed with philanthropy. Policemen, carrying out and carrying on the inspector’s orders, were urgently helping down-at-heel gentlefolk to be as comfortable as out-of-door conditions permitted. So, too, lovers on that blessed evening, influenced by Bim, began to be worthy of Juliet, and their fellows of the Heaven-kissed company to whom passion has become sanctified, and the possession of love is a joy crowned, a power enthroned, making of its votaries queens and princes---- Ah me, and so on! The series of lovers multitudinous gradually became ashamed of their ungracefulness. They walked now, or sat with some better sense of picturesque propriety. Sprawling and hugging were postponed for the armchairs at home. The parks became tolerable to the married.