word, Robin!" I said. "There's to be a Dissolution in January."

There was no answer, and I looked up.

Robin was not listening. His attention had wandered to the game in
progress on the lawn. This was one of Phillis' most cherished pastimes,
and was called "Beckoning." The players, except the person who for the
time being filled the _role_ of "It," stood patiently in a row, until
"It," after mature consideration, beckoned invitingly to one of them to
approach. This invitation might or might not be a genuine one, for
sometimes the player on responding was received by the beckoner with
hisses and other symptoms of distaste, and fell back ignominiously on
the main body. But if you were the _real_ object of the beckoner's
affections, you were greeted with embraces and a cry of "I choose you!"
and succeeded to the proud post of "It."

It was a simple but embarrassing game, calling for the exercise of
considerable tact when played by adults. At the present moment Phillis
was beckoner, while Dolly, Dermott, and the Admiral stood meekly in line
awaiting selection. Dolly and the Admiral were each called without being
chosen, and Phillis's final selection proved to be Dermott, who, having
received an enthusiastic salute from the retiring president, now stood
sheepishly on one leg surveying the expectant trio before him.

He began by beckoning to his host; and, having relieved that gentleman's
apprehensions by sibilant noises, waggled a nervous finger at Dolly.
Dolly advanced obediently.

"Choose her, if you like," said Phillis magnanimously.

Dermott's martial eye kindled, but he made no sign, and the game
faltered in its stride for a moment.

"Say," interpolated the prompter, "'I choose you!' and then k----"

But Dermott, hastily emitting a hiss which must have cost him a
heartrending effort, relegated the greatly relieved Dolly to the ranks,
and smoothed over the situation by "choosing" my daughter, to that young
person's undisguised gratification.

It was at this phase in the proceedings that Robin's attention began to
wander from the affairs of State, and I had to repeat my news of the
impending Dissolution to him twice before he grasped its full
significance. Even then he displayed about one-tenth of the excitement I
should have expected of him; and finally he admitted that he was
somewhat _derange_ after his night journey, and suggested a postponement
of business in favour of a little recreation on the lawn.

We