The pronouncement was so confident, so conclusive, that there was nothing to do but laugh at it. They all laughed. If you came there every night, "consequently" you would know many things! "We must eat somewhere," observed the Nun with placid resignation. "We must be as good as we can and hope for mercy," said Billy Foot. "You'll need it," commented Miss Dutton. "Let's hope the law of supply and demand will hold good!" laughed Harry. "How awfully jolly all this is!" said Andy. He had just time to observe Miss Dutton's witheringly patient smile before the lights went out. "Hullo!" cried Andy; and the rest laughed. Up again the lights went, but the Nun rose from her chair. "Had enough of it?" asked Harry. "Yes," said the Nun with her simple, candid, yet almost scornful directness. "Oh, it's been all right. I like your friend, Harry--not Billy, of course--the new one, I mean." When they had got their cloaks and coats and were waiting for the Nun's electric brougham, Harry made an announcement that filled Andy with joy and the rest of the company with amazement. "This is good-bye for a bit, Doris," he said. "I'm off to the country the day after to-morrow." "What have we done to you?" the Nun inquired with sedate anxiety. "I've got to work, and I can't do it in London. I've got a career to look after." The Nun gurgled again--for the second time only in the course of the evening. "Oh yes," she murmured with obvious scepticism. "Well, come and see me when you get back." She turned her eyes to Andy, and, to his great astonishment, asked, "Would you like to come too?" Andy could hardly believe that he was himself, but he had no doubt about his answer. The Nun interested him very much, and was so very pretty. "I should like to awfully," he replied. "Come alone--not with these men, or we shall only talk nonsense," said the Nun, as she got into her brougham. "Get in, Sally." "Where's the hurry?" asked Miss Dutton, getting in nevertheless. The Nun slapped her arm smartly; the two girls burst into a giggle, and so went off. "Where to now?" asked Harry. Andy wondered what other place there was. "Bed for me," said Billy Foot. "I've a consultation at half-past nine, and I haven't opened the papers yet." "Bed is best," Harry agreed, though rather reluctantly. "Going to take a cab, Billy?" "What else is there to take?" "Thought you might be walking." "Oh, walking be ----!" He climbed into a hansom. "I'll walk with you, Harry. I haven't had exercise enough." Harry suggested that they should go home by the Embankment. When they had cut down a narrow street to it, he put his arm in Andy's and led him across the road. They leant on the parapet, looking at the river. The night was fine, but hazy and still--a typical London night. "You've given me a splendid evening," said Andy. "And what a good sort those girls were!"