a sound
as of a rheumaticky hen stirring in its nest. The neck of Sir Tobias
craned painfully round the corner of a high-backed chair.

"Here's Lord Taborley to see you, Daddy. Don't keep him forever. He's
just invited me to go out with him to lunch."

Having shot her bolt, with the masterly strategy of her sex, she
vanished, pulling the door behind her.

What would Shakespeare have said under the circumstances, and what would
a suitor have said to Shakespeare when he knew that he was suspected of
having gone back on his request for the daughter's hand in marriage?
Tabs almost felt that he was in the actual presence of the bard of
Stratford, Sir Tobias looked so ineffectually pompous and overweighted
with gravity. Both Sir Tobias and Shakespeare, in the opinion of Tabs,
were vastly overrated persons; but the only thing Shakespearian about
Sir Tobias this morning was the magnificent calmness of his forehead;
his podgy body, supported by its stiff little pen-wiper legs was more
reminiscent of Punch, as portrayed on the cover of the famous weekly
which bears his name.

"Immensely considerate of you to come," puffed Sir Tobias, levering
himself out of his chair in order that he might shake hands.

"Not kind at all," Tabs contradicted cheerfully. "I kill two birds with
one stone; I have my conversation with you and in half an hour I carry
off Terry."

That'll make him hurry up with whatever he has to say, he thought; it
sets a time limit.

The old gentleman seemed put out to find himself deprived of his
prerogative to be elaborate and prosy. He made a gesture, indicating
that Tabs should copy his example and choose a chair. But Tabs ignored
it. He had learnt that a man on his feet has the advantage, especially
if he stands six foot two in his socks.

"You'll be wanting my news," he suggested. "I told you pretty well
everything across the telephone. I think it's a case of everybody having
got the wind up--Phyllis particularly. Mrs. Lockwood's a very restful
woman. I should call her a man's woman. She's bright and entertaining
and pretty, and she owns a charming little house. She had no
responsibilities, so she's free to entertain from morning till night.
Adair has without doubt visited her more often than was wise. It was
remarkably foolish of him to have made a woman-friend whom he didn't
share with Phyllis. But I suppose he didn't dare to introduce them after
he'd seen that Phyllis was jealous. However that may be