_Lord Strath._ (_mystified_). _I_ don't know! I believe my man let me out; and, anyway, what _does_ it matter now I've come? There's dinner announced. MARJORY, before we're separated, just tell me what on earth I've done to deserve this sort of thing! _Miss Seaton_ (_with a little gesture of despair_). Is it possible you want to be told how _horribly_ you have disappointed me! [_The couples are forming to go down._ _Lord Strath._ (_stiffly_). I can only say the disappointment is mutual! [_He moves away, and awaits his hostess's directions._ _Little Gwennie_ (_stealing up to her Governess_). Oh, Miss SEATON, _haven't_ I been good? I've kept quite quiet in a corner, and I haven't said a single word to anybody ever since he came. But _what_ nice Gentlemen BLANKLEY does send, doesn't he? _Mrs. Tid._ (_on_ Uncle GABRIEL'S _arm_). Oh, I quite forgot _you_, Lord--ah--STRATHPORRIDGE. As you and Miss SEATON seem to be already acquainted, perhaps you will have the goodness to take her down? You will sit on my left--on the fireplace side--and--(_in a whisper_)--the less you say the better! _Lord Strath._ I am _quite_ of your opinion. (_To himself._) Can't make my hostess out, for the life of me--or MARJORY either, if it comes to that! This is going to be a lively dinner-party, I can see! [_He gives his arm to_ Miss SEATON, _who accepts it without looking at him; they go downstairs in constrained silence._ (_End of Scene IV._) * * * * * QUEER QUERIES.--CITY IMPROVEMENTS.--How much longer are we to wait for the widening of the whole of Cheapside, the removal of the Post-Office Buildings to a more convenient site, and the total and unconditional sweeping away of Paternoster Row and the south side of Newgate Street? These slight alterations are _imperatively required_. They will only cost about ten millions, and what are ten millions to the Corporation? As I purchased the five square yards on which my little tobacco-shop is built in confident expectation of being bought out at a high figure, I consider that any further delay in the matter involves something like a breach of public faith. Why should not the Government help? They have lots of money, and I haven't.--DISINTERESTED. * * * * * "FACTS AND FIGURES."--The business of the Labour Commissioner has to be very delicately managed. There must be a good deal of "give and take" in the work. However much "taking" there may be, there is sure to be plenty of _Giffen_. * * * * * OUR BOOKING-OFFICE. [Illustration]