Tony thought the same as he stood drying his hands upon the grass and a handkerchief behind the fence. The tap was screened from the lawn by the aforesaid fence, from the road by the privet-hedge. And as he dried and mused, steps, the light tapping of small feet, could be heard approaching on the other side of the hedge. From a subconscious strategy--caused by a deep-set mysterious instinct--he waited till the steps had gone past. Then he peeped through the hedge and nearly whooped. For, retreating, he observed the neat figure of his damsel of the visiting-card. Joy was excusable, for he had not seen her again since their encounter. His first impulse was to whistle. This he checked on the score of vulgarity and bethought him what course would be best. Should he break through a weak spot in the hedge, leaving comrade Bangs to his own devices, or should he make formal but hasty adieux and pursue in the hope of overtaking? The latter was clearly the more correct procedure, but Tony's heart yearned regretfully over the girl in the road. She looked such a perfect pet! Luckily he was not called on to make an immediate decision, for she stopped a few yards farther on and gazed around. Tony concealed himself in such a way that he might still keep an eye upon her. What was she waiting for? He was not left long in doubt, for she gave a low but melodious whistle. The whistle was answered in the same key. "Brown, by all that's wonderful!" muttered Tony. "The lucky dog! No wonder he doesn't find work dull." If he expected a love-passage he was disappointed. The girl, as soon as her whistle was returned, flung a piece of paper over the hedge and walked quickly away. Tony gave the odd-job man time to pick up the billet and presently strolled round, still drying his hands. "Clean, sir?" asked the odd-job man stolidly. After all, the privet was thick and Tony might not have seen. "Yes, thanks.... I say, Brown, I've been thinking over what you said about work just now. It seems to me that there's quite a lot to be said for it." "Yes, sir?" "I should like to know more ... to hear a little more about the practical side of the question before making up my mind as to its intrinsic worth. I wonder if you'd care to smoke a pipe and try the cider of The Happy Heart with me to-night?" "Thank you, sir," replied Brown, betraying no surprise, "but I'm afraid I'm too busy." "To-morrow, then...." "Busy to-morrow, sir, too." "Sunday an off day?" "To be frank, sir, I have a young lady...." "Ah!" said Tony, hoping to hear something. "I won't press you then. I wish you luck." "Thank you, sir." There was a brief silence that Tony felt oppressive. He was the first to break it. "Been engaged long, Brown?" "No, sir. Not very long." Another silence. The impenetrability of these yokels is not exhilarating. Tony felt chilled, disappointed. He tried again. "I suppose it's almost as engrossing as work, Brown?" "Yes, sir; almost."