s, and bowed to Alvina. "With _every_ wish for
your success in love, Miss Houghton, and your _devoted_ servant--"
He bowed and drank.

Geoffrey made large eyes at her as he held up his glass.

"_I_ know you'll come out all right in love, _I_ know," he said
heavily.

"And you, Ciccio? Aren't you drinking?" said Mr. May.

Ciccio held up his glass, looked at Alvina, made a little mouth at
her, comical, and drank his beer.

"Well," said Mr. May, "_beer_ must confirm it, since words won't."

"What time is it?" said Alvina. "We must have supper."

It was past nine o'clock. Alvina rose and went to the kitchen, the
men trailing after her. Miss Pinnegar was not there. She was not
anywhere.

"Has she gone to bed?" said Mr. May. And he crept stealthily
upstairs on tip-toe, a comical, flush-faced, tubby little man. He
was familiar with the house. He returned prancing.

"I heard her cough," he said. "There's a light under her door. She's
gone to bed. Now haven't I always said she was a good soul? I shall
drink her health. Miss Pinnegar--" and he bowed stiffly in the
direction of the stairs--"your health, and a _good night's rest_."

After which, giggling gaily, he seated himself at the head of the
table and began to carve the cold mutton.

"And where are the Natcha-Kee-Tawaras this week?" he asked. They
told him.

"Oh? And you two are cycling back to the camp of Kishwegin tonight?
We mustn't prolong our cheerfulness _too_ far."

"Ciccio is staying to help me with my bag tomorrow," said Alvina.
"You know I've joined the Tawaras permanently--as pianist."

"No, I didn't know that! Oh really! Really! Oh! Well! I see!
Permanently! Yes, I am surprised! Yes! As pianist? And if I might
ask, what is your share of the tribal income?"

"That isn't settled yet," said Alvina.

"No! Exactly! Exactly! It _wouldn't_ be settled yet. And you say it
is a permanent engagement? Of _cauce_, at such a figure."

"Yes, it is a permanent engagement," said Alvina.

"Really! What a blow you give me! You won't come back to the
Endeavour? What? Not at all?"

"No," said Alvina. "I shall sell out of the Endeavour."

"Really! You've decided, have you? Oh! This is news to me. And is
_this_ quite final, too?"

"Quite," said Alvina.

"I see! Putting two and two together, if I may say so--" and he
glanced from her to the young men--"I _see_. Most decidedly, most
one-sidedly, if I may use the vulgarism, I _see--e--e!_ Oh! but what
a blow yo