“I've enjoyed an interval of sanity,” Mrs. Hauksbee announced, after tiffin was over and the two were comfortably settled in the little writing-room that opened out of Mrs. Mallowe's bedroom. “My dear girl, what has he done?” said Mrs. Mallowe, sweetly. It is noticeable that ladies of a certain age call each other “dear girl,” just as commissioners of twenty-eight years' standing address their equals in the Civil List as “my boy.” “There's no he in the case. Who am I that an imaginary man should be always credited to me? Am I an Apache?” “No, dear, but somebody's scalp is generally drying at your wigwam-door. Soaking, rather.” This was an allusion to the Hawley Boy, who was in the habit of riding all across Simla in the Rains, to call on Mrs. Hauksbee. That lady laughed. “For my sins, the Aide at Tyrconnel last night told me off to The Mussuck. Hsh! Don't laugh. One of my most devoted admirers. When the duff came--some one really ought to teach them to make pudding at Tyrconnel--The Mussuck was at liberty to attend to me.” “Sweet soul! I know his appetite,” said Mrs. Mallowe. “Did he, oh did he, begin his wooing?” “By a special mercy of Providence, no. He explained his importance as a Pillar of the Empire. I didn't laugh.” “Lucy, I don't believe you.” “Ask Captain Sangar; he was on the other side. Well, as I was saying, The Mussuck dilated.” “I think I can see him doing it,” said Mrs. Mallowe, pensively, scratching her fox-terrier's ears. “I was properly impressed. Most properly. I yawned openly. 'Strict supervision, and play them off one against the other,' said The Mussuck, shoveling down his ice by tureenfuls, I assure you. 'That, Mrs. Hauksbee, is the secret of our Government.'” Mrs. Mallowe laughed long and merrily. “And what did you say?” “Did you ever know me at loss for an answer yet? I said: 'So I have observed in my dealings with you.' The Mussuck swelled with pride. He is coming to call on me tomorrow. The Hawley Boy is coming too.” “'Strict supervision and play them off one against the other. That, Mrs. Hauksbee, is the secret of our Government.' And I dare say if we could get to The Mussuck's heart, we should find that he considers himself a man of the world.” “As he is of the other two things. I like The Mussuck, and I won't have you call him names. He amuses me.” “He has reformed you, too, by what appears. Explain the interval of sanity, and hit Tim on the nose with the paper-cutter, please. That dog is too fond of sugar. Do you take milk in yours?” “No, thanks. Polly, I'm wearied of this life. It's hollow.” “Turn religious, then. I always said that Rome would be your fate.” “Only exchanging half a dozen attaches in red for one and in black, and if I fasted, the wrinkles would come, and never, never go. Has it ever struck you, dear, that I'm getting old?” “Thanks for your courtesy. I'll return it. Ye-es we are both not exactly--how shall I put it?”