"I've always longed to produce a play," said Mary, "and a pageant would be nearly as good." "I'm sorry your mind is so definitely made up," said Sir Evelyn to Jimmy. "Mr. Linker seems to think---- The prospects of the Party in Morriton St. James--my own position as prospective candidate----" "If it's going to help you, Uncle Evie--but I'm blest if I see how it can." "Mr. Linker," said Sir Evelyn, "attaches great importance to the success of the pageant. I think perhaps that you ought----" "I need scarcely say, my lord," said Linker, "that in the management of the pageant we should be prepared to meet your lordship's wishes in every way." "In every way?" Jimmy looked Linker straight in the face and then turned his eyes on Hinton, who was standing near the door. "In _every_ way," said Linker, nervously but with the needed emphasis. "Certainly, my lord," said Hinton, "in every way." "Very well," said Jimmy. "As you all want me I'll do my best; but what exactly is it that you expect me to do?" "Get me a job with a good advertisement attached to it," said Mary. "Help Aunt Agatha," said Beth. Linker explained his wishes at greater length. Lord Colavon might undertake the purchase of the lugger and allow that fact to be advertised. He might superintend the rigging under the direction of Sir Evelyn. He might interest his friends in the pageant. "And steer the lugger when the great day comes," said Jimmy. "Certainly, if your lordship wishes." The assurance was definite enough and entirely satisfactory to Jimmy. The conversation passed on to the subject of patrons of the pageant. Linker pressed on Sir Evelyn, who had already done a great deal, the necessity of securing as many influential names as possible. "Another bishop would be very desirable, sir," he said. "But why do you want so many bishops?" said Mary. "Aren't they very liable to make objections? My Nautch Girl dance is perfectly all right, but----" "Although a Nonconformist myself," said Linker, "I cannot but be aware of the social position of the dignitaries of the Established Church. They would certainly be of great value to the pageant." He mentioned in a reverential whisper the name of a popular ecclesiastic, one of the few who are thoroughly well known to the public outside church circles. "If a few actresses would be of any use," said Mary, "I might get them." "As skittish as possible," said Jimmy. "Some ladies of the gayer kind will be wanted to balance all the bishops." "And if," Linker addressed Sir Evelyn again, "you could see your way to inviting----" He named a very great statesman, a man with a European reputation for the astute manipulation of international Congresses, Assemblies of the League of Nations and such things. "Not necessarily to be present at the pageant," said Linker apologetically. "That would be asking too much. But if we might make use of his name."