ial trace of his last night's tussle with the police. There was
a cut at the back of his head where he had fallen on the kerb stone
but that was neatly plastered, and you do not turn your back much on
a hostess, at any rate on first introduction.

But Vivie had obviously been in the wars. She had--frankly--a black
eye, a cut and swollen lip, and her ordinarily well-shaped nose was
a trifle swollen and reddened. But her eyes likewise were twinkling,
though the bruised one was bloodshot.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Rossiter, to be introduced to you like this. I
don't know _what_ you will think of me. It's the first time I've
been in a really bad row.... We were trying to get to the House of
Commons, but the police interfered and gave us the full privileges
of a man as regards their fists. Captain Gardner here--who is an old
friend of mine--intervened, or I'm afraid I shouldn't have got off
as cheaply as I did. And your husband kindly came to the police
court to testify to our good character, and then invited us to
lunch."

_Mrs. Rossiter_: "Why how your voice reminds me of some one who used
to come here a good deal at one time--a Mr. David Williams. I
suppose he isn't any relation?"

_Vivie_ (while Frank Gardner looks a little astonished): "Oh--my
cousin. I knew you knew him. He has often talked to me about you.
I'll tell you about David by and bye, Frank."

At this interchange of Christian names Mrs. Rossiter thinks she
understands the situation: they are engaged, have been since last
night's rescue. But what _extraordinary_ people the dear Professor
_does_ pick up! Have _they_ got ductless glands, she wonders?

Rossiter who has been fidgeting through this dialogue considers that
lunch is ready, so they proceed to the small dining-room, "the
breakfast-room." Mrs. Rossiter was always very proud of having a
_small_ drawing-room (otherwise, "me boudwor") and a _small_
dining-room. It prepared the way for greater magnificence at big
parties and also enabled one to be cosier with a few friends.

At luncheon:

_Mrs. Rossiter_ to _Frank Gardner_, archly: "I suppose you've come
home to be married?"

_Frank_: "Oh no! I'm not a bigamist, I've got a wife already and
four children, and jolly glad I shall be to get back to 'em. I can't
stand much of the English climate, after getting so used to South
African sunshine. No. I came on a business trip to England, leaving
my old dear out at the farm near Salisbury, with the kids--we've