'

He had arrived late, and this was the first time she had seen him since
they had all gone their ways before Whitsun. He mixed himself a whisky
and soda.

'After all, is there anything you know so thoroughly insufferable as a
ball?' he said, reflectively, as he sipped it with great content.

'Nothing, if you ask me pointblank,' said Lady Kelsey, smiling with
relief because he took so flippantly the news she had lately poured into
his ear. 'But it's excessively rude of you to say so.'

'I don't mind yours, Lady Kelsey, because I can smoke as much as I
please, and keep away from the sex which is technically known as fair.'

Mrs. Crowley felt the remark was directed to her.

'I'm sure you think us a vastly overrated institution, Mr. Lomas,' she
murmured.

'I venture to think the world was not created merely to give women an
opportunity to wear Paris frocks.'

'I'm rather pleased to hear you say that.'

'Why?' asked Dick, on his guard.

'We're all so dreadfully tired of being goddesses. For centuries foolish
men have set us up on a pedestal and vowed they were unworthy to touch
the hem of our garments. And it _is_ so dull.'

'What a clever woman you are, Mrs. Crowley. You always say what you
don't mean.'

'You're really very rude.'

'Now that impropriety is out of fashion, rudeness is the only short cut
to a reputation for wit.'

Canon Spratte did not like Dick. He thought he talked too much. It was
fortunately easy to change the conversation.

'Unlike Mr. Lomas, I thoroughly enjoy a dance,' he said, turning to Lady
Kelsey. 'My tastes are ingenuous, and I can only hope you've enjoyed
your evening as much as your guests.'

'I?' cried Lady Kelsey. 'I've been suffering agonies.' They all knew to
what she referred, and the remark gave Boulger an opportunity to speak
to Dick Lomas.

'I suppose you saw the _Mail_ this morning?' he asked.

'I never read the papers except in August,' answered Dick drily.

'When there's nothing in them?' asked Mrs. Crowley.

'Pardon me, I am an eager student of the sea-serpent and of the giant
gooseberry.'

'I should like to kick that man,' said Bobbie, indignantly.

Dick smiled.

'My dear chap, Alec is a hardy Scot and bigger than you; I really
shouldn't advise you to try.'

'Of course you've heard all about this business?' said Canon Spratte.

'I've only just arrived from Paris. I knew nothing of it till Lady
Kelsey told me.'

'What do you think?'

'I don't t