"I suppose you'll dedicate it to Cora," said Miss Bonser, "as she has taken such an interest in it." Mr. Harper had to admit rather shamefacedly that it had not occurred to him to do that. Miss Bonser was surprised; but Miss Dobbs said she couldn't think of it. She didn't look for a reward. Miss Bonser said she was sure of that, yet Mr. Harper felt very uncomfortable because it was borne in upon him that he had been guilty of a sin of omission. An awkward silence followed, at least so it appeared to Mr. Harper, but it was very tactfully terminated by Miss Bonser, who suddenly asked Miss Dobbs about Harold. Harold, it seemed, was very keen on Miss Dobbs; in fact, he was her best boy. He was an architect who lived at Wimbledon, but had just taken rooms in town. He was a Cambridge man, had a commission in the Territorials, and was a regular sport. However, this seemed to convey so little to Mr. Harper that the conversation soon appeared to languish in regard to Harold. After this, the young man sat very anxiously in the cane chair, wanting sorely to get out of it, yet with not enough knowledge of society to be able to do so. "The Adventures of Dick Smith" were calling him loudly, yet he had too little courage and too much politeness to venture upon the headlong flight which above all things he now desired. Presently, however, his air of mute misery appealed to his hostess, who suddenly said with great good nature. "Now, don't you be staying, Harry, a moment longer than you think you ought. I know you want to get back to your writing." And Miss Dobbs rose and shook hands with him gravely. Miss Bonser then sat up in her wicker chair and offered her hand at a very fashionable angle, but said good-by with real friendliness, and then Mr. Harper made a very awkward exit without either self-possession or dignity. "Chase me," said Miss Bonser, as soon as the smiling Miss Dobbs had returned from letting the young man out of the front door. "Priceless, isn't he?" Miss Dobbs flung herself with a suppressed giggle into a wicker chair. "Well, well," reflected Miss Bonser. "One of these days he may be useful to bring you in out of the rain." "If he begins to make good," said Miss Dobbs sagely. "You never know your luck." "Cruelty to children, isn't it?" Miss Dobbs smiled thoughtfully. "Don't you think his eyes are rather nice?" she said. "He's got a lot in his face," said Miss Bonser. "That's a face that's seen things. And I'm not so sure, dear, that he is such a juggins as we fancy." "We'll hope not at any rate," said Miss Dobbs coolly. "Still, I like a man with a punch in him myself." "Perhaps I'll be able to improve him a bit. He hardly knows he's born at present." "That's true, dear," said Miss Bonser, with a rather indiscreet gurgle. "It's nothing to laugh at, Zoe." To the surprise of her friend, Miss Dobbs seemed a little hurt. "Well, well." Miss Bonser flung away the end of her cigarette. XI