Hinton was drying the last saucer. Mrs. Eames, the task of washing up finished, was rubbing her dripping hands on her apron. "Scarcely dramatic in the higher sense of the word," said Hinton. "The tastes of the present earl are rather in the direction of comic opera." "He won't do us any harm, I suppose," said Mrs. Eames, "and I dare say Sir Evelyn will get him for us. Now who else would you suggest?" "Did I mention the bishop, madam?" "You did. And I said I didn't see what use the bishop would be. In fact he'd be worse than no use. If the public sees the name of a bishop at the head of a list of patrons it naturally thinks that the show is going to be a Diocesan Conference or something of the sort and simply stays away." Again Hinton gave way, or appeared to give way. "It might be advantageous, madam," he said, "if we secured the name of some gentleman prominently connected with the customs and excise." Hinton's ideas of suitable patrons were certainly odd. A custom house officer, though a useful and generally an active civil servant, is not the sort of man whose name often appears in the newspapers. "The name of a custom house officer on our list of patrons," Hinton explained, "would convince the public that our pageant is entirely _bona fide_." "But what else could it be? You don't mean to suggest that we should really smuggle things?" "Of course not, madam, but the public is sometimes very unintelligent, and----" "No public could possibly be as stupid as that." The cups and plates were by this time restored to their shelves in the pantry. Hinton, having discovered a leather, was giving an unaccustomed polish to the spoons and forks. "I only suggested a customs officer," he said, "because I thought that if he became interested he might arrange for some of his subordinates to take part in the pageant, as preventive officers, capturing the smugglers and the lugger. That's simply an idea. Of course the management of the dramatic side of the pageant is entirely in your hands." "It's a jolly good idea. Real coastguards--but of course there aren't any now. Real preventive officers riding down the hill just in time to---- Or coming in a revenue cutter and firing on the lugger. I wonder if we could get them. Oh, do stop polishing those spoons, Hinton. It fidgets me to see you. Come into the vicar's study and talk over this idea of yours." "Perhaps," said Hinton as they left the room, "there are some other household duties of which I could relieve you. I think you may safely trust me. I have had considerable experience in some of the best houses in England." "If you like to help me to make the vicar's bed," said Mrs. Eames, "I don't mind." "I shall be most happy," said Hinton, "but I beg of you, madam, to leave it entirely to me. If you will await me in the study----"