nal. They wanted
reminiscences. Their welcome, when he first got up, had shown they
took him seriously. Nobody of his own set was there! What harm?

Hubert Brett's speech (for no one ever used the Mr. of him afterwards)
is still remembered as the most enjoyable of all the Kit Kats ever
heard. Such interesting people had he met and known, known well; such
vivid lights he threw upon the full life of a famous literary man.

No single member who got up to join in the discussion afterwards but
started with an eulogy of their guest's work and speech.

Hubert was very pleased. He had warmed to the Kit Kat manner. He
should not tell it as a comic story; it would not be fair. After all,
perhaps they were not an artistic set, but then not everybody could
belong to that, and they were very genial. You only had to get to know
them. They were the Public anyhow, the class for whom one wrote, and
possibly they might have influence, some few of them. This woman next
door, now so affable, had got a brother who reviewed for several
papers. All of this must help. It was absurd to be exclusive when one
came to Art. He looked upon this evening as one of the most
encouraging in his whole life. Wouldn't Helena be pleased to hear it
all?

And that reminded him.

With a hot shame he drew out his watch.

His speech had been long and one of many after a full dinner. It was
very nearly half-past ten and a long journey home....

Full of guilt, he pulled himself together, to make his excuses. There
was a gap now. No one seemed to volunteer as speaker. He----

But Mr. President was on his feet. He must not interrupt.

"Gentlemen--_and_ Ladies!" said the President amid appreciative
laughter, "all the volunteers now being exhausted, I shall proceed in
accordance with Kit Kat tradition to call out the reserve and ask them
to speak, whether they wish it or no. And the first gentleman I think
we all feel we should like to hear speak is our old valued friend and
excellent critic, Mr. Henry Jenks."

This met with such general applause that Hubert felt it would be
ridiculous to get up now. It also would be rude and pointed. Besides,
"critic"--did he mean professional? It might be silly to offend him.
After all, these people who were asked to speak would surely be better,
their estimate of his work more worth while, than those who simply
wanted to hear their own voice?

Helena wouldn't mind. She was so easy-going, bless h