Katharine Parr. I think, if the members themselves are to
send out the invitations, they should each be limited to two cards, with
the express understanding that no member shall be permitted to invite
more than one wife."

"That's going to be awkward," said Raleigh, scratching his head
thoughtfully. "Henry is such a hot-headed fellow that he might resent
the stipulation."

"I think he would," said Confucius. "I think he'd be as mad as a hatter
at your insinuation that he would invite any of his wives, if all I hear
of him is true; and what I've heard, Wolsey has told me."

"He knew a thing or two about Henry," said Shakespeare. "If you don't
believe it, just read that play of mine that Beaumont and
Fletcher--er--ah--thought so much of."

"You came near giving your secret away that time, William," said Johnson,
with a sly smile, and giving the Avonian a dig between the ribs.

"Secret! I haven't any secret," said Shakespeare, a little acridly.
"It's the truth I'm telling you. Beaumont and Fletcher _did_ admire
_Henry the Eighth_."

"Thereby showing their conceit, eh?" said Johnson.

"Oh, of course, I didn't write anything, did I?" cried Shakespeare.
"Everybody wrote my plays but me. I'm the only person that had no hand
in Shakespeare. It seems to me that joke is about worn out, Doctor. I'm
getting a little tired of it myself; but if it amuses you, why, keep it
up. _I_ know who wrote my plays, and whatever you may say cannot affect
the facts. Next thing you fellows will be saying that I didn't write my
own autographs?"

"I didn't say that," said Johnson, quietly. "Only there is no internal
evidence in your autographs that you knew how to spell your name if you
did. A man who signs his name Shixpur one day and Shikespeare the next
needn't complain if the Bank of Posterity refuses to honor his check."

"They'd honor my check quick enough these days," retorted Shakespeare.
"When a man's autograph brings five thousand dollars, or one thousand
pounds, in the auction-room, there isn't a bank in the world fool enough
to decline to honor any check he'll sign under a thousand dollars, or two
hundred pounds."

"I fancy you're right," put in Raleigh. "But your checks or your plays
have nothing to do with ladies' day. Let's get to some conclusion in
this matter."

"Yes," said Confucius. "Let's. Ladies' day is becoming a dreadful bore,
and if we don't hurry up the billiard-room will be full."

"Well, I m