the Obelisk, and
there it'll stick. And they'll have to take it to pieces, and sell it
for scrap iron. I know what I'm talking about."

"That's unusual in your case," said Mrs. Mills.

"I get light-headed when I see you," explained Mr. Trew. "I was took
like it the first time I ran across you up in the gallery of the old
Princess's, seeing 'Guinea Gold,' and you've had the same effect on me
ever since. What's more, you glory in it. You're proud of the
wonderful influence you exercise over me. And all I get out of you is
a 'aughty smile."

"The fact is," declared Mrs. Mills, "you get too much attention from
the ladies. It spoils you!"

"See how she spurns me," he cried, turning to Gertie. "You wouldn't
treat a gentleman like that, would you, missy? You wouldn't play
football with an honest, loving heart, I'm sure. Oh, come on," with
pretended desperation, "let's have a cigar, and try to forget all about
it. A twopenny one; same as you sell to members of the House of Lords."

"You're staying to tea," suggested Mrs. Mills, allowing him to make a
selection from a box.

"I've got to leave just before five o'clock. Going to take the little
missy here out for a promenade."

"Now that is kind and thoughtful of you," declared the other. "With
all your silliness, you're not half a bad sort. Gertie, go in and lay
the table."

Miss Radford, after inspecting the new-comer over the half-curtain,
decided to leave, although, as she pointed out, this was an opportunity
for enjoying her company that rarely occurred. In confidence, the
young woman remarked that what she hoped might happen at a future date
was that she would meet some one possessing a disengaged brother, in
which case she guaranteed to bring all her influence to bear in favour
of Gertie Higham. Gertie said this was kind, and Miss Radford
mentioned that she always felt ready to do a favour whenever she
happened to be in good spirits.

The three sat at table, with Mrs. Mills in a position that commanded a
view of the shop. Mr. Trew had brought a bag of prawns in the
tail-pocket of his coat, secured, he asserted, after enormous trouble
and expense from the sea coast of Marylebone Road that very afternoon;
they were, anyway, good prawns, and went admirably with thin bread and
butter, and Gertie would have eaten more but for anxiety concerning
progress of the hands of the clock. Mr. Trew, discussing the products
of the sea, regretted that he was b