gentleman's wife."

"That's what I say," cried Miss Nippett.

"But Gellybrand foully libelled me," cried Mr Poulter, with another
outburst of anger, "when he stated that I only paid one and fourpence a
pound for my tea."

This last recollection so troubled Mr Poulter that Miss Nippett
suggested that it was time for him to go and dress. As he left the
room, he said to Mavis:

"Pray never mention Gellybrand's name in my presence. If I weren't an
artiste, I wouldn't mind; as it is, I'm all of a tremble."

Mavis promised that she would not, at which the old man's face wore its
usual kindly expression. When he was gone, Miss Nippett exclaimed:

"Oh, why ever did you?"

"How was I to know?" Mavis asked.

"I thought everyone knew. Don't, whatever you do, don't again. It makes
him angrier than he was when once the band eat up all the light
refreshments."

"He's a very charming man," remarked Mavis.

"But his brains! It's his brains that fetches me."

"Really!"

"In addition to 'Poulter's Patent Floor Wax,' he's invented the
'Clacton Schottische,' the 'Ramsgate Galop,' and the 'Coronation
Quadrilles.'"

"He must be clever."

"Of course; he's on the grand council of the 'B.A.T.D.'"

"What is that?"

"What? You don't know what 'B.A.T.D.' is?" cried Miss Nippett in
astonishment.

"I'm afraid I don't," replied Mavis.

"You'll be saying you don't know the Old Bailey next."

"I don't. But I know a lot of people who should."

"Don't send 'em to 'Poulter's,'" said Miss Nippett. "There's enough
already who're be'ind with their accounts."

A few minutes later, Mr Poulter entered the room, wearing evening
dress, dancing pumps, and a tawdry-looking insignia in his coat.

"That's the 'B.A.T.D.,' Grand Council Badge," Miss Nippett informed
Mavis.

"Wonderful!" exclaimed Mavis, who felt that her hypocrisy was justified
by the pleasure it gave kindly Mr Poulter.

"Say we enjoy a whiff of fresh air before commencing our labours,"
suggested Mr Poulter.

Upon Mavis and Miss Nippett rising as if to fall in with his
suggestion, Mr Poulter went before them, up the stairs, past the
"Ladies' Cloak Room," along the passage to the front door.

As Miss Nippett and Mavis followed the dancing-master, the former said,
referring to Mr Poulter:

"'E once took the 'Olborn Town 'all for an 'All Night,' didn't you, Mr
Poulter?"

"The night the 'Clacton Schottische' was danced for the first time,"
replied Poulter.

"And w