blundered to his feet, choked, gasped, groped for his
whiskers, and finally spoke:

"Why, sir, I--I'm afraid I--we are--"

"I didn't know you were such an accomplished musician, Brimberly."

"Mu-musician, sir?" Brimberly stammered, his eyes goggling; "'ardly
that, sir, oh, 'ardly that, I--I venture to--to tinkle a bit now an'
then, sir--no offence I 'ope, sir?"

"Friends musical too, it seems."

"Y-yes, sir, music do affect 'em, sir--uncommonly, sir."

"Yes, makes them thirsty, doesn't it?"

"Why, Mr. Ravenslee, sir, I--that is, we did so far venture to--er--I
mean--oh, Lord!" and mopping perspiring brow, Mr. Brimberly groaned and
goggled helplessly from Mr. Jenkins who stood fumbling with his banjo to
Mr. Stevens who gaped fishlike.

"And now," said Young R., having viewed them each in turn, "if
these--er--very thirsty musicians have had enough of--er--my wine
to--er--drink, perhaps you'll be so obliging as to see them--off the
premises?"

"I--I beg parding, sir?"

"Please escort your friends off the premises."

"Certingly, sir--at once, sir--"

"Unless you think you ought to give them each a handful of my cigars--"

But Mr. Brimberly had already bundled his dazed guests to the door, out
of the door, and out of the house, with very little ceremony.

It was a very deferential and officiously eager Brimberly who presently
knocked and, bowing very frequently, begged to know how he might be of
further service.

"Might I get you a little supper, sir? We 'ave 'am, sir, we 'ave beef,
cold, salmon and cucumber likewise cold, a ditto chicken--"

"That sounds rather a quaint bird," said Ravenslee.

"Yes, sir, very good, sir, chicken an' a nice slice of 'am, sir, say,
and--"

"Thank you, Brimberly, I dined late."

"Why then, sir, a sandwich or so, pray permit me, sir, cut nice an'
thin, sir--"

"Thank you--no."

"Dear, dear! Why then, sir, whisky? Brandy? A lick-your?"

"Nothing."

"A cigar, sir?"

"Hum! Have we any of the Garcias left?"

"Y-yes, sir. Ho, certingly, sir. Shall I--"

"Don't bother, I prefer my pipe; only let me know when we get short,
Brimberly, and we'll order more--or perhaps you have a favourite brand?"

"Brand, sir," murmured Brimberly, "a--er--certingly, sir."

"Good night, Brimberly."

"Good night, sir, but first can't I do--hanything?"

"Oh, yes, you do me, of course. You do me so consistently and well that
I really ought to raise your wages. I'll think about it."