keep a clear head for everyday affairs.
He drove about London as usual, but beset with fantastic visions and
desires. Not only was Polly quite dismissed from his thoughts (in the
tender sense), but he found himself constantly occupied with the image
of Mrs. Clover, heretofore seldom in his mind, notwithstanding her
brightness and comeliness and the friendship they had so long felt for
each other. Minnie he had forgotten; the mother came before him in such
a new light that he could hardly believe his former wish to call her
mother-in-law. This strange emotion was very disturbing. As if he had
not worry enough already!

Delicacy kept him away from the china shop. He knew how hard it must be
for the poor woman to disguise her feelings before Minnie and other
people. Minnie, to be sure, would understand signs of distress as a
result of her father's brief reappearance, but Mrs. Clover's position
was no less lamentable. He wished to be at her side endeavouring to
console her. Yet, as likely as not, all he said would give her more
pain than comfort.

Ah, but there was a woman! Was he likely ever to meet another who had
pluck and goodness and self-respect like hers? Minnie? Some day,
perhaps, being her mother's daughter. But Minnie, after all, was little
more than a child. And he could no longer think of her in the old way
it made him uncomfortable if he tried to do so.

Polly? Ah, Polly! Polly be hanged!

He had an appointment with her for this evening--not at the theatre
door, for Polly no longer went to the theatre. Change in the management
had put an end to her pleasant and lucrative evenings; she had tried in
vain to get like employment at other places. In a letter received this
morning she remarked significantly that of course it was not worth
while to take up any other pursuit again.

It could not be called a delightful letter from any point of view.
Polly had grown tired of uniform sweetness, and indulged herself in
phrases of an acid flavour.

"Haven't you got anything yet to tell me about the will? If I don't
hear anything from you before long I shall jolly well go and ask
somebody else. I believe you know more than you want to tell, which I
call it shameful. Mind you bring some news to-night."

They met at six o'clock in the Lowther Arcade; it was raining, cold,
and generally comfortless. By way of cheery beginning Gammon declared
that he was hungry, and invited Miss Sparkes to eat with him.

They transferr