“Don’t you and uncle ever do any work at the office? You seem to spend your whole time talking.” “In the process of getting together a paper like Pyke’s _Home Companion_, there come times when a little rest, a little folding of the hands, is essential. Otherwise the machine would break down. On these occasions we chat, and when we chat we naturally talk about you.” “Why?” “Because there is no other subject in which I am in the least interested. Well, then, returning to what I was saying, we are so much alike----” “They say that people should marry their opposites.” “Pyke’s _Home Companion_ has exploded that view. Replying to Anxious (Wigan) in this very issue, Aunt Ysobel says just the contrary.” “I’ve often wondered who Aunt Ysobel was.” “It would be foreign to the policy of Pyke’s _Home Companion_ to reveal office secrets. You may take it from me that Aunt Ysobel is the goods. She knows. You might say she knows everything.” “I wonder if she knows I’m getting pneumonia.” “Good heavens! I was forgetting. I mustn’t keep you standing here for another instant.” “No. Good-bye.” “Wait!” said Sam. “While we are on the subject of Aunt Ysobel, I wonder if you have seen her ruling this week in the case of Romeo (Middlesbrough)?” “I haven’t read this week’s number.” “Ah! Well, the gist of what she says--I quote from memory--is that there is nothing wrong in a young man taking a girl to the theatre, provided that it is a matinée performance. On the contrary, the girl will consider it a pretty and delicate attention. Now to-morrow will be Saturday, and I have in my possession two seats for the Winter Garden. Will you come?” “Does Aunt Ysobel say what the significance is if the girl accepts?” “It implies that she is beginning to return--slightly, it may be, but nevertheless perceptibly--the gentleman’s esteem.” “I see. Rather serious. I must think this over.” “Certainly. And now, if I may suggest it, you really ought to be going in and changing your dress. You are very wet.” “So I am. You seem to know everything--like Aunt Ysobel.” “There is a resemblance, perhaps,” said Sam. Hash Todhunter met Sam as he re-entered Mon Repos. “Oh, there you are,” said Hash. “There was some people calling, wanting to see you, a minute ago.” “Really? Who?” “Well, it was a young female party that come to the door, but I thought I saw a kind of thickset feller hanging about down on the drive.” “My old friends, Thomas G. and Miss Gunn, no doubt. A persistent couple. Did they leave any message?” “No. She asked if you was in, and when I told her you was around somewhere she said it didn’t matter.” § 3 That night. The apartments of Lord Tilbury. “Yes? Yes? This is Lord Tilbury speaking.... Ah, is that you, Twist? Have you anything to report?” “The young woman’s cook has just been round with a message. The young woman is going with Mr. Shotter to the theatre to-morrow afternoon.” “Cor!” said Lord Tilbury.