"Why not?" he demanded. "My character is formed. _Noblesse oblige_ is a good motto for us all, only when one is born with _faiblesse_ instead of _noblesse_, it becomes _faiblesse oblige_. Furthermore, sir, if I am to have the reputation, I must insist upon the perquisites." What I replied to this bit of moralizing I shall not put down here, since I have no wish to commit myself thus publicly. I will say, however, that I did not blame the youthful-looking person unreservedly. "Moreover, I have very fine apartments in Hades," he added, "and I should hate to give them up. I live at the select home for gods and gentlemen, kept by Madame Persephone. When she takes an interest in one of her boarders she is a mighty fine landlady, and, like most ladies, if I may say it with all due modesty, she has taken an interest in me. The result is that I have the best suite in the house, overlooking the Styx, and as fine a table as any one could want. But I must ask your pardon, sir, for taking up so much of your time with my personal affairs. We both seem to have forgotten that I am here to wait upon you." "It has been very interesting, Adonis," I said. "And if it's anybody's fault, it is mine. What I wished of you was that you should get out my breakfast-suit, so that I might dress and go to the dining-room." "Certainly, sir," he replied, walking to the clothes-closet. "Pardon me, but--ah--what is your profession when at home?" "Why do you ask?" I queried. "Not that I am unwilling to tell you, but--" "I merely wished to guide my selection of your garments. If you are a naval officer, I will put out your admiral's uniform. If you are a professional golfer, I'll get out your red coat." "I am a literary man," I said. "Ah!" he observed, lifting his eyebrows. "Then, of course, you won't mind wearing these." And he hauled forth a pair of black-and-white trousers with checks as large as the squares of a chessboard, a blue cloth vest with white polka dots, and a long, gray Prince Albert coat, with mauve satin lapels. The shirt was pink and blue, stripes of each alternating, running cross-ways, a white collar, and a flaring red four-in-hand tie! "Great Scott, Adonis!" I cried. "Must I wear those?" "You're under no compulsion to do so," said he. "But I thought you said you were a literary man." "Well?" "Well--literary men never care what they wear so long as they attract attention, do they?" I laughed. "We are not all built that way, Adonis," said I. "Some of us are modest and have a little taste." "Well, it's news to me," said he. "I guess it must be among the minor lights." "It is--generally," said I. "And if you don't mind, I'd rather wear the golf clothes." And I did. V The Olympian Links "There," said Adonis, as he put the finishing touch to my costume. "You look like a champion. Do you play golf, sir?"