"Yes, sir," answered the maiden; "everything is on the table. I'll run and fetch the eggs. I put them in to boil when I saw you coming in the distance. The toast and rolls are hot, and all in order." "Bravo! Helen, bravo!" said Professor Cyanite, rubbing his hands. "By my troth, Helen," said our artist, "if I wanted an appetite your bright eyes would be enough to give me one." Helen blushed and smiled, and skipped lightly away to see after the eggs. "Ah! here is a breakfast fit for a king," said Mr. Crucible, as Helen re-entered with a tray. "And all made with her own fair hands, too, I'll warrant," said McGuilp. "What makes you blush so much of late, Helen?" asked Mr. Hardcase. "Oh, what a shame to tease the poor child," said Mr. Parnassus, with tenderness. "Ah! Helen," sighed Dr. Bleedem, "your health and rosy cheeks are worth all my drugs." "'I would I were a glove upon that hand, that I might touch that cheek,'" quoted the tragedian from his favourite "Romeo and Juliet." "Order, order!" cried various other members at once. At that moment our host entered to call away his daughter, so Helen was spared further banter. As the meal proceeded the company began to dispute who should tell the next story. Of those present who had not yet entertained the company with a tale were Mr. Crucible and Mr. Oldstone. One of the two _must_ tell a story, as the club decreed, but as each of these gentlemen wished to lay the burden of the story upon the shoulders of the other, nothing seemed likely to be settled. Accordingly, after the breakfast things had been removed dice were called for, and it was agreed that whoever should throw the highest should tell the story. Our host soon returned with the dice-box, and remained to see which of the two gentlemen should throw the higher number. Mr. Oldstone seized the dice-box, and shaking it well, threw double five. It was now Mr. Crucible's turn, so taking the dice-box from the hand of the first thrower, and rattling it twice or thrice, he threw the number twelve. "Now then, Crucible," said Mr. Oldstone, laughing, "no shirking, but let us have the story at once." "What! so soon after breakfast!" exclaimed Mr. Crucible, "and before we have had time to digest the last properly." "I hope you will excuse my presence here gentlemen," said Mr. Hardcase, "for I have a case to attend to." "Now really, Hardcase, that's too bad," ejaculated Mr. Oldstone. At this moment a servant arrived hurriedly at the "Headless Lady," to call away Dr. Bleedem to see a patient. "Really, gentlemen," said the doctor, "I am very sorry, but business _is_ business." "Business! business!" exclaimed Mr. Oldstone, in horror at such a word being uttered within the sacred precincts of the club. "Business! Ugh!" Professor Cyanite, too, had a great scientific work which he was getting ready for the press, and begged also to be allowed to withdraw.