at shall we do to bring
ourselves into accord with it? Everybody seems to be behaving most
disgracefully. Do you think it would contribute to the gaiety of the
evening if I were to join in the chorus of 'You Made Me Love You,' and
Mr. Strangewey were to imitate the young gentleman at the next table and
throw a roll, say, at that portly old gentleman with the highly polished
shirt-front?"

"There is no need to go to extremes," Sophy protested. "Besides, we
should get into trouble. The portly old gentleman happens to be one of
the directors."

"Then we will just talk nonsense," Louise suggested.

"I am not very good at it," John sighed; "and there is so much I want to
say that isn't nonsense."

"You ought to be thankful all your life that you have met me and that I
am disposed to take an interest in you," Sophy remarked, as she moved
her chair a little nearer to John's. "I am quite sure that in a very
short time you would have become--well, almost a prig. Providence has
selected me to work out your salvation."

"Providence has been very kind, then," John told her.

"I hope you mean it," she returned. "You ought to, if you only
understood the importance of light-heartedness."

The lights were lowered a few minutes later, and John paid the bill.

"We've enjoyed our supper," Louise whispered, as they passed down the
room. "The whole evening has been delightful!"

"May I drive you home alone?" he asked bluntly.

"I am afraid we can't desert Sophy," she replied, avoiding his eyes.
"She nearly always goes home with me. You see, although she seems quite
a frivolous little person, she is really very useful to me--keeps my
accounts, and all that sort of thing."

"And does her best," Sophy joined in, "to protect you against your
ruinously extravagant habits!"

Louise laughed. They were standing in the little hall, and the
commissionnaire was blowing his whistle for a taxi.

"I won't be scolded to-night," she declared. "Come, you shall both of
you drive home with me, and then Mr. Strangewey can drop you at your
rooms on his way back."

Sophy made a little grimace and glanced up at John anxiously. He was
looking very big and very grim.

"Shall you mind that?" she asked.

A slight plaintiveness in her tone dispelled his first disappointment.
After all, it was Louise's decision.

"I will try to bear it cheerfully," he promised, smiling, as he handed
them into the cab.

XII