"Utterly impossible, my dear. With any other partner, perhaps, but not with Chamberlain. To put it plainly, my dear, Chamberlain put in the money when I wanted to spread myself, and I did spread myself. The experiment was a success, and I am saddled with Chamberlain for the rest of my natural life." "Is he no help to you?" said Regina. "Well, he is less than no help. I think I shall be obliged to suggest taking in another partner; the business is too big now to have the whole responsibility on one pair of shoulders. I must have a holiday now and again--goodness knows, it isn't often for a man of my substance--but anything like the muddle in which I found things I never imagined even Chamberlain could accomplish. He's a dear chap, too full of apologies, perfectly aware of his own shortcomings, always in a domestic pickle--which is not to be wondered at--but as a partner he is hopeless." "My poor Alfred!" said Regina. "Ah, you may well say that. Of course, when one just comes back off a holiday, one doesn't feel like doing collar work all the time, all uphill and no easement. But it will pass, and I must seriously think of taking someone else in." "Have you anyone in your eye?" "Well, of course, Tomkinson's a splendid man. One wouldn't give him a full share, wouldn't make him an equal exactly, but I think it would be a wise thing if we were to make him a junior partner. Besides that, someone else might get hold of him; he is well known as a first-class man." "I should, my dear. But why should you go on working and toiling like this? If you were to realize, and with what money I have we should be quite comfortable." "Oh no, oh no, thank you, Queenie, not while I am strong and well. I should like a little more time to myself; I should like to be able to run over to Paris for a week or to spend a few days by the seaside. I'm thinking of taking up golf--I began to take an interest in the game at Dieppe. It's good for the liver; a mild craze for golf has saved many a man from an attack of paralysis." "You would join a golf club?" "Oh, yes, one of those clubs round London." "And you would get an afternoon twice a week or so? Could I--could--I walk round with you?" "Oh, I don't think so; I don't think they allow ladies' on men's golf links. No, no, if you want to start playing yourself, my dear, you must join a ladies' club and play on your own. It would be good for you." "Yes--it would. Won't you have any more coffee?" "No, thanks. I may be late for dinner; possibly I may not be able to get back--I'll send you a wire. By the way, when we leave Ye Dene we will have a telephone put up." "Yes," she said, "it would be most convenient."