It is unpleasant to be warned by a policeman not to make so much noise over the "_Soy, oh, what Joy_," ditty, and I don't know why he singled _me_ out--I was only _humming_ the confounded thing! They generally come in and have supper with me, which Mrs. SURGE complains bitterly about; she says the gentlemen stay so late, and are so noisy, and her room smells of smoke so next day. I am aware of that, because I have to _sit_ in it. I don't like PONKING at any time, but, if possible, he is rather more detestable in his sentimental moods, which generally come upon him after supper, when he informs me that the 'alo has departed from his life, and begs me, in broken accents, to allow LOUISE to visit his tomb occasionally. If he were only _there_! [Illustration: "Uneven is the course. I like it not!"--_Shakspeare_.] To-day LOUISE appeared, for the first time, in a striped yachting-cap. I merely hinted, very gently, that, as she had never been on board a yacht in her life, and the cap did not even suit her, I preferred her ordinary style of head-dress, when she grew angry at once. _Everybody_, she informed me, was not of my opinion--Mr. PONKING had complimented her particularly--hang PONKING! I find myself constantly greeting and being greeted by Blazers. I am sure _I_ don't know how I have come to be acquainted with so many--they all ask me "How is myself," and, in answer to my polite, but scarcely warm, inquiries after their health, reply that they are "ter-rific"--which they _are_! PONKING was asked by LOUISE the other afternoon whether he was "ready for his tea;" and answered briefly, but emphatically, "Wait till I get _'old_ of it!" LOUISE remarked afterwards that he was "so quick." I doubt very much whether she would say as much of _me_. I am as fond of her as ever--in some respects, fonder--but I cannot help noticing these things--I cannot help seeing that Starmouth is not doing her any good. _Afternoon: on the Sands._--LOUISE and ALF have been scooping a pit. When it is dug, she says coquettishly that there is just room for me. I decline, a little curtly perhaps--but I really am surprised at LOUISE--such extremely bad style! Her Aunt, who is eating plums hard-by, says "some people seem to think themselves too grand for anything." I can hear ALF whispering that LOUISE would not have to ask "poor old PONK" twice. LOUISE says, pouting, that she shall not ask _me_ again. I can see I have hurt her feelings. After all, it is possible to be _too_ particular--there is no harm in it--countless couples around us are making themselves at least equally conspicuous. Somehow I never can be as firm with LOUISE as I am with most people.... I _ought_ to be comfortable, with her head resting upon my shoulder and my arm encircling her waist (_she_ insists on this)--but, as a matter of fact, I catch myself remarking how very much LOUISE has caught the sun of late. And she has developed quite a _twang_ within the last few days!