_Mrs. Tid._ He may be one of the assistants out of the shop for all we can tell. And you're going to let him stay and make us thirteen, the identical thing he was hired to avoid! Well, I shall have to let Miss SEATON dine, after all--that's what it comes to, and this creature can take her down--it will be a little change for her. GWENNIE, my pet, run down and tell SEAKALE that if he hears me ring twice after everybody has come, he's to lay two extra places before he announces dinner. (GWENNIE _departs reluctantly_; Mrs. T. _crosses to_ Miss SEATON.) Oh, Miss SEATON, my husband and I have been thinking whether we couldn't manage to find a place for you at dinner to-night. Of course, it is _most_ unusual, and you must not expect us to make a _precedent_ of it; but--er--you seem rather out of spirits, and perhaps a little cheerful society--just for once----I don't know if it can be arranged yet, but I will let you know about that later on. _Miss Seaton_ (_to herself_). I do believe she _means_ to be kind! (_Aloud._) Of course, I shall be very pleased to dine, if you wish it. _Seakale_ (_at door_). Mr. and Mrs. GABRIEL GILWATTLE, and Miss BUGLE! [_Enter a portly old Gentleman, with light prominent eyes and a crest of grizzled auburn hair, in the wake of an imposing Matron in ruby velvet: they are followed by an elderly Spinster in black and silver, who rattles with jet._ _Miss Bugle_ (_after the usual greetings_). I hope, dearest MARIA, you will excuse me if I am not quite in my usual spirits this evening; but my cockatoo, whom I have had for ages, has been in convulsions the whole afternoon, and though I left him calmer, done up in warm flannel on the rug in front of the fire, and the maid promised faithfully to sit up with him, and telegraph if there was the slightest change, I can't help feeling I ought never to have come. _Aunt Joanna_ (_to her host._) Such a drive as it is here, all the way from Regent's Park, and in this fog--I told GABRIEL that if he escapes bronchitis to-morrow---- _Seakale._ Mr. and Mrs. DITCHWATER! Mr. TOOMER! [Illustration: "Mr. and Mrs. Ditchwater!"] _Mr. Ditch._ Yes, dear Mrs. TIDMARSH, our opportunities for these festive meetings grow more and more limited with each advancing year. Seven dear friends, at whose board we have sat, and they at ours, within the past twelve months, carried off--all gone from us! _Mrs. Ditch._ _Eight_, JEREMIAH, if you count Mr. JAUNDERS--though _he_ only dined with us once. _Mr. Ditch._ To be sure, and never left his bed again. Well, well, it should teach us, as I was remarking to my dear wife as we drove along, to set a higher value than we do on such hospitalities as we are still privileged to enjoy. _Mr. Toomer_ (_to_ Mrs. TID.) My poor wife would, I am sure, have charged me with all manner of messages, if she had not been more or less delirious all day--but I am in no anxiety about her--she is so often like that, it is almost chronic.