[Illustration: "JUPITER HURLED A THUNDER-BOLT AT HIM"]

"I think I'd rather have Jason put on," said Adonis. "While I don't
care much for the climate of Hades, I am received there with much
consideration socially, whereas up here I am only the valet. One
doesn't mind being a nabob once in a while, you know. Besides--ah--don't
say anything about it to anybody up here, but I'm getting a trifle
tired of Venus. She is still beautiful, but you can't get over the
idea that she's over four thousand years old. Furthermore, I met a
little Fury down below last season who is simply ravishing." Here
Adonis gave me a wink which made me rather curious to see the little
Fury.

"Ah, Adonis, Adonis!" I cried, shaking my finger at him; "still up to
your old tricks, are you?"

"Why not?" he demanded. "My character is formed. _Noblesse oblige_ is
a good motto for us all, only when one is born with _faiblesse_
instead of _noblesse_, it becomes _faiblesse oblige_. Furthermore,
sir, if I am to have the reputation, I must insist upon the
perquisites."

What I replied to this bit of moralizing I shall not put down here,
since I have no wish to commit myself thus publicly. I will say,
however, that I did not blame the youthful-looking person
unreservedly.

"Moreover, I have very fine apartments in Hades," he added, "and I
should hate to give them up. I live at the select home for gods and
gentlemen, kept by Madame Persephone. When she takes an interest in
one of her boarders she is a mighty fine landlady, and, like most
ladies, if I may say it with all due modesty, she has taken an
interest in me. The result is that I have the best suite in the house,
overlooking the Styx, and as fine a table as any one could want. But
I must ask your pardon, sir, for taking up so much of your time with
my personal affairs. We both seem to have forgotten that I am here to
wait upon you."

"It has been very interesting, Adonis," I said. "And if it's anybody's
fault, it is mine. What I wished of you was that you should get out my
breakfast-suit, so that I might dress and go to the dining-room."

"Certainly, sir," he replied, walking to the clothes-closet. "Pardon
me, but--ah--what is your profession when at home?"

"Why do you ask?" I queried. "Not that I am unwilling to tell you,
but--"

"I merely wished to guide my selection of your garments. If you are a
naval officer, I will put out your admiral's uniform. If you are a
professional golfer, I'l