et determined to give a direct answer, in
order to draw Lady Enid away from the more dangerous subjects.

"No," he said, with a spasm of pain.

"I knew you wouldn't be able to."

"Why?"

"Because when one's once been really and truly silly it's impossible not
to repeat the act, absolutely impossible. You'll never stop now. You'll
go on from one thing to another, as I do."

"I cannot think that prophecy is silly," said the Prophet, with some
stiffness.

She looked at him with frank admiration.

"You're worse than I am! It's splendid!"

"Worse!"

"Why, yes. You're foolish enough to think your silly acts sensible. I
wish I could get to that. Then perhaps I could impose on Sir Tiglath
more easily too."

She considered this idea seriously, as they started on again, and
gradually got free of the little crowd that had been sitting on the
horse's head.

"I must impose upon him," she said. "And you've got to help me."

"I!" cried the Prophet, feeling terribly unequal to everything. "I
cannot possibly consent--"

"Yes, dear Mr. Vivian, you can. And if two thoroughly silly people can't
impose upon one sensible old man, it will be very strange indeed. And
now I'm going to tell you what I hadn't time to tell you yesterday."

She leaned forward and tapped sharply on the rattling glass in front of
the cab. The cabman, bending down, twisted his whiskers towards her.

"Don't go too fast."

"I can't get 'im to fall down agyne, lydy. 'E's too tired."

"I daresay. But don't let him walk quite so fast."

She drew back.

"Mr. Vivian," she said--and the Prophet thought she had never looked
more sensible than now, as she began this revelation--"Mr. Vivian, among
the silly people I have met in my dear double life, who do you think are
the very silliest?"

"The anti-vaccinators?"

"No. Besides, they so often have small-pox and become quite sensible."

"The atheists?"

"I used to think so, but not now. And most of those I knew are Roman
Catholics at present."

"The women who don't desire to be slaves?"

"There aren't any."

"The tearers of Paderewski's hair?"

"I so seldom meet them, because they all live out in the suburbs."

"The tight-lacers?"

"They get red noses, poor things, and disappear. They're not permanent
enough to count as the very silliest."

"I give it up."

"The Spiritualists and the Christian Scientists. That's why I love them
best, and spend most of my double life with them. How you wou