_Culch._ (_carefully looking in every other direction_). I--er--mumble--mumble--don't exactly-- [_Here a Waiter offers him a dish containing layers of soles disguised under thick brown sauce;_ CULCHARD _mangles it with an ineffectual spoon. The Waiter, with pitying contempt, "Tut-tut-tut! Pesce Signore--feesh!"_ CULCH. _eventually lands a sole in a very damaged condition._ _Podb._ (_to Miss P._) No--not this side--just opposite. (_Here_ CULCH., _in fingering a siphon which is remarkably stiff on the trigger, contrives to send a spray across the table and sprinkle_ Miss PRENDERGAST, _her brother, and_ PODBURY, _with impartial liberality_). _Now_ don't you see him? As playful as ever, isn't he! Don't try to make out it was an accident, old fellow. Miss PRENDERGAST knows you! [_Misery of_ CULCHARD. _Miss P._ (_graciously_). Pray don't apologise, Mr. CULCHARD; not the least harm done! You must forgive me for not recognising you before, but you know of old how provokingly shortsighted I am, and I've forgotten my glasses. _Culch._ (_indistinctly_). I--er--not at all ... most distressed, I assure you ... really no notion-- _Miss T._ (_in an undertone_). Say, you _know_ her, then? And you never let on! _Culch._ Didn't I? Oh, surely! yes, I've--er--_met_ that lady. (_With grateful deference to_ Mr. BELLERBY, _who has just addressed him._) You are an Art-Collector? Indeed? And--er--have you--er--? _Mr. B._ I've the three finest Bodgers in the kingdom, Sir, and there's a Gubbins--a _Joe_ Gubbins, mind you, not _John_--that's hanging now in the morning-room of my place in the country that I wouldn't take a thousand pounds for! I go about using my eyes and pick 'em up cheap. Cheapest picture _I_ ever bought was a Prout--thirty-two by twenty; got it for two pound ten! Unfinished, of course, but it only wanted the colour being brought up to the edge. _I_ did that. Took me half a day, and _now_--well, any dealer would give me hundreds for it! But I shall leave it to the nation, out of respect for PROUT'S memory. _Bob Pr._ (_to_ PODBURY). Yes, came over by; the St. Gothard. Who is that girl who was talking to CULCHARD just now? Do you know her? I say, I wish you'd introduce me some time. _Miss T._ (_to_ CULCHARD). You don't seem vurry bright this evening. I'd like you to converse with your friend opposite, so I could get a chance to chip in. I'm ever so interested in that girl! _Culch._ Presently--presently, if I have an opportunity. (_Hastily, to_ Mr. B.) I gather that you paint yourself, Sir?