time on your hands; why
don't you write a novel?'

'Everybody can't write novels.'

'Oh yes, they can.'

'Is that the reason why you advise me to write one?

'Not exactly. Did you ever try to write a story?'

'No, not since I was at school. I used to write stories there, and read
them to the girls, and . . .'

'And what?'

'Oh, nothing; it seems so absurd of me to talk to you about such things;
you will only laugh at me just as you did at Mr. Adair.'

'No, I assure you, I am very loyal to my friends.'

'Friends!'

'I should have thought that friendship was a question of sympathy, and
not one of time: but I will withdraw the word.'

'Oh, no, I didn't mean that--I am sure I am very glad . . .'

'Very well, then, we will be friends; and now tell me what you were
going to say.'

'I have forgotten--what was I saying?'

'You were telling me about something you had written at school.'

'Oh, yes, I remember. I did a little play for the girls to act just
before we left.'

'What was it about--what was it called?'

'It was not original--it was an adaptation of Tennyson's ballad of King
Cophetua. You know Miss Gould--she played the King; and Miss Scully, she
played the beggar-maid. But, of course, the whole thing was very
childish.'

At this moment a figure in knee-breeches and flesh-coloured stockings
was seen waving a wand at the far end of the room. He was the usher
clearing the way for the viceregal procession.

The first to appear were the A.D.C.'s. They were followed by the Medical
Department, by the Private Secretary, the Military Private Secretary,
the Assistant Under Secretaries, by the Gentlemen in Waiting, the Master
of the Horse, the Dean of the Chapel Royal, the Chamberlain, the
Gentleman Usher, the Comptroller, the State Steward, walking with a
wand, like a doge in an opera bouffe; then came another secretary, and
another band of the underlings who flock about this mock court. And then
came a heavy-built, red-bearded man, who carried, as one might a baby, a
huge gilt sword in his fat hands. He was followed by their Excellencies.
The long, maroon-coloured breeches preserved their usual
disconsolateness, the teeth and diamonds retained their splendour, and
the train--many yards of azure blue richest Duchesse satin, embroidered
with large bouquets of silver lily of the valley, and trimmed with
plumes of azure blue ostrich feathers, and bunches of silver coral--was
upheld by two tiny children wh