ame is. I don't know
much of her myself."

"Bit of all right, is she?" Edwin tried in a whisper to be a man of
vast experience and settled views. He tried to whisper as though he
whispered about women every day of his life. He thought that these
Londoners were terrific on the subject of women, and he did his best to
reach their level. He succeeded so well that Charlie, who, as a man,
knew more of London than of the provinces, thought that after all London
was nothing in comparison to the seeming-quiet provinces. Charlie
leaned back in his chair, drew down the corners of his mouth, nodded his
head knowingly, and then quite spoiled the desired effect of doggishness
by his delightfully candid smile. Neither of them had the least
intention of disrespect towards the fine girl who was on their lips.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOUR.

Edwin said to himself: "Is it possible that he has come down specially
to see this Hilda?" He thought enviously of Charlie as a free bird of
the air.

"What's she like?" Edwin inquired.

"You come up and see," Charlie retorted.

"Not to-night," said the fawn, in spite of Edwin.

"You come to-night, or I perish in the attempt," said Charlie, in his
natural voice. This phrase from their school-days made them both laugh
again. They were now apparently as intimate as ever they had been.

"All right," said Edwin. "I'll come."

"Sure?"

"Yes."

"Come for a sort of supper at eight."

"Oh!" Edwin drew back. "Supper? I didn't--Suppose I come after supper
for a bit?"

"Suppose you don't!" Charlie snorted, sticking his chin out. "I'm off
now. Must."

They stood a moment together at the door of the shop, in the declining
warmth of the summer afternoon, mutually satisfied.

"So-long!"

"So-long!"

The Sunday elegantly departed. Edwin had given his word, and he felt as
he might have felt had surgeons just tied him to the operating-table.
Nevertheless he was not ill-pleased with his own demeanour in front of
Charlie. And he liked Charlie as much as ever. He should rely on
Charlie as a support during this adventure into the worldly regions
peopled by fine girls. He pictured this Hilda as being more romantic
and strange than Janet Orgreave; he pictured her as mysteriously
superior. And he was afraid of his own image of her.

At tea in the dismantled sitting-room, though he was going out to
supper, he ate quite as much