_Culch._ Ah, PODBURY, take the good the gods provide you and be content! You might be worse off, believe me! _Podb._ (_discontentedly_). It's all very well for _you_ to talk--with Miss TROTTER all to yourself. I suppose you're regularly engaged by this time, eh? _Culch._ Not quite. There's still a ----. And your probation, that's practically at an end? _Podb._ I don't know. Can't make her out. She wouldn't sit on me the way she does unless she _liked_ me, I suppose. But I say, it must be awf--rather jolly for you with Miss TROTTER? She's got so much _go_, eh? _Culch._ You used to say she wasn't what you call cultivated. _Podb._ I know I did. That's just what I like about her! At least--well, we _both_ ought to think ourselves uncommonly lucky beggars, I'm sure! [_He sighs more heavily than ever._ _Culch._ You especially, my dear PODBURY. In fact, I doubt if you're half grateful enough! _Podb._ (_snappishly_). Yes, I am, I tell you. _I_'m not grumbling, am I? I know as well as you do she's miles too good for me. Haven't I _said_ so? Then what the devil do you keep on nagging at me for, eh? _Culch._ I am glad you see it in that light. Aren't you a little irritable to-night? _Podb._ No, I'm not. It's those filthy canals. And the way you talk--as if a girl like Miss TROTTER wasn't--! _Culch._ I really can't allow you to lecture me. I am not insensible to my good-fortune--if others are. Now we'll drop the subject. _Podb._ I'm willing enough to drop it. And I shall turn in now--it's late. You coming? _Culch._ Not yet. Good-night. (_To himself, as PODBURY departs._) You insensate _dolt_! _Podb._ Good-night! (_To himself, as he swings off._) Confounded patronising _prig_! * * * * * HUMPTY-DUMPTY UP AGAIN! [Illustration: Little Tich and the Fine Fairy.]