o you, did Jobling continue
to use bad language to his wife?

_Pilcher._ We struck a happy medium. My Blanket Club balance was
considerably augmented, and Jobling's behaviour considerably improved
under the stress of the fines.

_Re-enter_ HARRY _with an old, dusty collecting-box on which is
printed in large letters, "County Hospital for Incurables."_

_Harry._ [_Placing the box on the table._] There! My name's Jobling for
the present! By Jove! that was a very neat idea of yours.

_Pilcher._ Ah, by the way, I didn't give you Jobling's tariff----

_Harry._ Tariff?

_Pilcher._ Jobling's tariff for a mild little profanity like "By Jove,"
was a mere sixpence.

_Harry._ Oh! [_Feels in his pocket._

_Pilcher._ Of course you needn't adopt Jobling's scale.

_Harry._ Oh yes! I'll toe the mark! [_Takes six pence out of his pocket
and puts it in his box._] I'm determined I'll cure myself of all these
bad little tricks----

_Matt._ [_To_ DOLLY, _pointing to the money-box._] Are you going to
contribute?

_Dolly._ [_Snappishly._] Perhaps, when I've paid off my bills.

_Matt._ [_To_ PILCHER.] Will you kindly let my daughter have your lowest
tariff for ladies?

_Dolly._ Oh, please don't be in such a hurry. What about your own
contribution? Mr. Pilcher, I hope you don't intend to let my father
escape.

_Pilcher._ I understood Mr. Barron was prepared to risk a five-pound
note that you and Mr. Telfer will not carry your New Year resolutions
into practice?

_Matt._ With the almost certain chance of drawing a five-pound note from
Harry and a new hat from Dolly.

_Pilcher._ I'm afraid I can't hold out those inducements. But I can
offer you the very pleasing alternatives of chuckling over your
daughter's and Mr. Telfer's lapses, or of contributing five pounds to an
excellent charity!

_Matt._ H'm! Well I'll do my best to oblige you, Mr. Pilcher! Let me
see!

[_Looking round, his eye falls on_ RENIE _and_ LUCAS _who, at the
beginning of the above conversation have gone into conservatory at
lower door, and now come out again at upper door. She has a
hot-house flower in her hand, and they are eagerly absorbed in
their conversation. The_ PROFESSOR _talking to_ HARRY _and not
noticing._

_Renie._ [_Becoming aware that_ MATT _is watching them._] Yes, that
arrangement of the stamens is quite unusual. It's what the gardener
calls a "sport"----

_Lucas._ [_Examining the flower._