reat deal more
of men than of our own sex.'

'And the extraordinary thing is that men will never believe it. They say
we are trying to hide something.'

'They are generally doing that on their own account. Alas! These
chocolates pall upon me, and I haven't eaten more than a dozen. I think
I shall go to sleep.'

'Then you'll get fat, dear. If you took more exercise and a more
intelligent interest in your neighbours you would--'

'Be as much loved as Mrs. Hauksbee. You're a darling in many ways, and
I like you you are not a woman's woman but why do you trouble yourself
about mere human beings?'

'Because in the absence of angels, who I am sure would be horribly dull,
men and women are the most fascinating things in the whole wide world,
lazy one. I am interested in The Dowd I am interested in The Dancing
Master I am interested in the Hawley Boy and I am interested in you.'

'Why couple me with the Hawley Boy? He is your property.'

'Yes, and in his own guileless speech, I'm making a good thing out
of him. When he is slightly more reformed, and has passed his Higher
Standard, or whatever the authorities think fit to exact from him, I
shall select a pretty little girl, the Holt girl, I think, and' here she
waved her hands airily "'whom Mrs. Hauksbee hath joined together let no
man put asunder." That's all.'

'And when you have yoked May Holt with the most notorious detrimental
in Simla, and earned the undying hatred of Mamma Holt, what will you do
with me, Dispenser of the Destinies of the Universe?'

Mrs. Hauksbee dropped into a low chair in front of the fire, and, chin
in hand, gazed long and steadfastly at Mrs. Mallowe.

'I do not know,' she said, shaking her head, 'what I shall do with
you, dear. It's obviously impossible to marry you to some one else your
husband would object and the experiment might not be successful after
all. I think I shall begin by preventing you from what is it? "sleeping
on ale-house benches and snoring in the sun."'

'Don't! I don't like your quotations. They are so rude. Go to the
Library and bring me new books.'

'While you sleep? No! If you don't come with me I shall spread your
newest frock on my 'rickshaw-bow, and when any one asks me what I am
doing, I shall say that I am going to Phelps's to get it let out. I
shall take care that Mrs. MacNamara sees me. Put your things on, there's
a good girl.'

Mrs. Mallowe groaned and obeyed, and the two went off to the Library,
where