perfervid haste,
self-possessed young queens of the footlights lolled with their
admirers, importantly believing they were recognized. All the medley of
London as it used to be, is and will be again, was there; but nowhere
could Tabs descry a General's uniform.

He went to the desk to enquire whether there was any message for him. At
mention of the General his enquiry was received with marked respect.
Yes, General Braithwaite lived there. No message had been left, but he
might be in his room. While they were telephoning and he was waiting,
Tabs remembered and smiled at remembering. Under quite other
circumstances, on a former occasion, he and Braithwaite had stayed there
together. The clerk interrupted his reflections. "The General's not in
his room---- Ah, here he comes, your Lordship."

Tabs turned quickly and looked in vain at first. He did not become aware
of his host till he was standing almost at his elbow. Then he held out
his hand, "How are you, General? You must pardon me for not having
picked you out at once. Like all of us, you look different in mufti."

"More like the old Braithwaite your Lordship used to know?" The General
smiled. "Well, I have to thank that experience for this at least--that I
know where to find the proper tailors. How about lunch? Are you ready?"

Against a window looking out on the Embankment, one of the best tables
had been reserved--a further proof of the new esteem in which
Braithwaite was held. The head-waiter hurried up immediately to advise
what he should eat and passed on his orders to subordinates with as much
solemnity as if they had been the details for an offensive. "Yes, my
General." "No, my General." When everything had been chosen and there
was nothing to do but wait for the first dish to be served, Braithwaite
leaned across to Tabs, "Your Lordship is amused. I don't blame you."

Tabs drew out his case and offered him a cigarette. "I'll make a bargain
with you, sir. Let's cut out the unfriendly formalities. I'll call you
Braithwaite if you'll call me Taborley."

The General blew a puff of smoke into the air and watched it disappear
before he answered. In civilian clothes he bore a more distinct
resemblance to the man he had been; and yet the resemblance only served
to emphasize the change that had taken place in him. The old Braithwaite
had been a slight-built, gentle creature, loyal to the point of
self-effacement, soft-spoken and dependent on the appreciation of a
m