"Really, Cecilia," I said, "let me plead with you. _Not_ a costume concert party, please. A simple glee perhaps--just four of us--in evening dress; or even a conjurer. I'll agree to anything. But not, _not_ Pierrots, Cecilia." "Pierrots it is," said Cecilia defiantly. "Then I wash my hands of it. To think that our family----" "You can wash your hands if you like," said Cecilia; "we should prefer it, in fact; but you are certainly going to take part." I know the futility of arguing with Cecilia. "Then tell me the worst," I begged; "what am I to be? Can I show people to their seats, or am I the good-looking tenor with gentlemanly features and long hair?" "We thought of making you the funny man," said Cecilia. I buried my head in my hands and shuddered. At this moment John came into the room. "Talking about the 'Merry Maggots'?" he said. "Splendid idea of Cecilia's, isn't it? I've just been thinking it over, and what we must decide on first of all is who is to be the--the humourist. He's the really important man; must be someone really first-class." "We've also been discussing it," I said quickly, "and we came to the conclusion that there's only one man for the job--yourself." John nodded complacently. "I'm glad to hear you say so, because I was going to suggest it myself. It's my belief that I should be a devilish funny fellow if I had a chance. I've just tried a few jokes on myself upstairs, and I've been simply roaring with laughter. Haven't enjoyed myself so much for years." "Splendid fellow!" I said heartily; "you shall tell them to me later on and I'll roar with laughter too. Cecilia, put your husband down for the funny man." "H'm--humourist," corrected John with a slight cough. "'Humourist,'" I agreed; "and thank goodness that's settled." "But," said Cecilia, "you said you were going to do a dramatic recitation." "So I am, so I am," said John; "I'm going to do that as well. Contrast, my dear Cecilia. Laughter and tears. Double them up with sly wit one moment and have them sobbing into their handkerchiefs the next. I'm going to do it all, Cecilia." "So it appears," said Cecilia; "it hardly seems worth while to have anybody else in the show." "Now, now," said John, wagging his forefinger at her, "no jealousy. You ought to be glad to have someone really good in the party. _Good_ funny men aren't to be found just anywhere." "But we don't know that you _are_ a good funny man," said Margery. "Of course you don't," said John; "I've never had a chance to prove it. For years I have been kept in the background by your family. I'm never allowed to make a joke, and if I do nobody laughs. This is my chance. I'm going to be in the limelight now. I shall be the life of the party, and it's no good trying to stop me. In fact," he finished confidentially, "I shan't be surprised if I take it up professionally. You should have heard me laughing upstairs." "But, John," began Margery.