Caroline was much moved. "I’m glad my first visit bore such good fruit," she said patronisingly. Then seeing with what extreme difficulty the poor old man walked, and not to be outdone by a mere chit of a girl, she said to Jack, "Give me your other arm." And so Jack was slowly escorted towards Doctor Sternroyd’s house, while the Walk looked on and admired. The Walk was puzzled. Here was the Eyesore, suddenly grown very old, being led into one of their houses, and the Admiral uttered no protest! As a matter of fact the Admiral was too much occupied in mastering his desire to laugh, to move from his seat. The rest of the Walk felt that Caroline was the common enemy, and even the Eyesore sank into secondary importance. For all but Basil. Basil, who had watched the entire adventure from his window, nearly spoilt the whole thing. He had seen the Eyesore run away—yet here was the Eyesore—! "But the Eyesore ran away! Who’s—?" he shouted. Sir Peter recovered breath enough to gasp, "Hold your tongue!" "Well, but, Doctor Sternroyd—" protested Basil. "Hold your silly tongue, sir!" cried the Doctor to Basil’s infinite amazement. Jack disappeared into the Antiquary’s house and the Antiquary himself stood at the door waving his umbrella like a sword. Caroline turned to Marjolaine. "You’re a good little girl," she said, kindly. "Here’s a six-penny bit." Marjolaine, quite equal to the occasion, received it with a fourth curtsey, and a modest "Thank you, my Lady." I think Caroline had some idea of following into Doctor Sternroyd’s house to see that her ancient _protégé_ was well bestowed, but just as she got to the gate the Doctor slammed the door violently in her face; and the whole Walk took its cue from him, so that as Caroline passed along the Walk haughtily tossing her head, every window was closed with a bang, and every door was slammed with a bang, bang, bang, bang, bang! And Marjolaine and the Admiral sat under the tree and shouted with laughter! *CHAPTER XI* *POMANDER WALK TAKES A DISH OF TEA* [Illustration: Chapter XI headpiece]