en I 'appens to be inside. Yes! Mrs. B.," he repeated as
he opened the door, "you're right; it does amuse me," and he closed
the door softly behind him. Mrs. Bindle expressed her thoughts upon
the long-suffering table-appointments.

When Bindle returned in his uniform, supper was ready. For some time
the meal proceeded in silence.

"Funny thing," he remarked at length, "I can swallow most things from
stewed-steak to 'alf-cooked 'ymns, but 'Earty jest sticks in my
gizzard."

"You're jealous, that's what you are," remarked Mrs. Bindle with
conviction.

"A man wot could be jealous of 'Earty," said Bindle, "ain't safe to be
let out, only on a chain. Why don't 'e try an' bring a little
'appiness down 'ere instead o' sayin' it's all in 'eaven, with you an'
'im a-sittin' on the lid. Makes life like an 'addock wot's been
rejooced in price, it does."

"What are you goin' to say to Mr. Hearty?" enquired Mrs. Bindle
suspiciously.

"Well," remarked Bindle, "that depends rather on wot 'Earty's goin' to
say to me."

"You've no right to interfere in his affairs."

"You're quite right, Mrs. B.," remarked Bindle, "that's wot makes it
so pleasant. I 'aven't no right to punch 'Earty's 'ead; but one of
these days I know I shall do it. Never see an 'ead in all my life wot
looked so invitin' as 'Earty's. Seems to be crying-out to be punched,
it does."

"You didn't ought to go round upsetting him," said Mrs. Bindle
aggressively. "He's got enough troubles."

"'E's goin' to 'ave another to-night, Mrs. B.; an' if 'e ain't
careful, 'e'll probably 'ave another to-morrow night."

Mrs. Bindle banged the lid on a dish.

"You ain't against them kids a-gettin' married, are you?" Bindle
demanded. "You used to be sort of fond of Millikins."

"No! I'm not against it; but I'm not goin' to interfere in Mr.
Hearty's affairs," said Mrs. Bindle virtuously.

"Well, I _am_," said Bindle grimly, as he rose and reached for his
cap. A moment later he left the room, whistling cheerily.

At the Heartys' house Millie opened the door.

"Oh, Uncle Joe!" she cried, "I wondered whether you would come."

"Course I'd come, Millikins," said Bindle. "Now you jest run and tell
your father that I want to 'ave a little talk with 'im in the
drawing-room, then you'll turn on the light an' be'ave as if I was a
real lemonade-swell."

Millie smiled tremulously and led the way upstairs. Ushering Bindle
into the drawing-room, she switched on the light and went