of his house. And now he looked forward to the treat of his life:
hanging round the woman he had made his wife, following her about,
feeling proud of her and his house, talking to her from morning till
night, really finding himself in her. When he had to go his rounds
she would go with him in the car: he made up his mind she would be
willing to accompany him. He would teach her to drive, and they
would sit side by side, she driving him and waiting for him. And he
would run out of the houses of his patients, and find her sitting
there, and he would get in beside her and feel so snug and so sure
and so happy as she drove him off to the next case, he informing her
about his work.

And if ever she did not go out with him, she would be there on the
doorstep waiting for him the moment she heard the car. And they
would have long, cosy evenings together in the drawing-room, as he
luxuriated in her very presence. She would sit on his knees and they
would be snug for hours, before they went warmly and deliciously to
bed. And in the morning he need not rush off. He would loiter about
with her, they would loiter down the garden looking at every new
flower and every new fruit, she would wear fresh flowery dresses and
no cap on her hair, he would never be able to tear himself away from
her. Every morning it would be unbearable to have to tear himself
away from her, and every hour he would be rushing back to her. They
would be simply everything to one another. And how he would enjoy
it! Ah!

He pondered as to whether he would have children. A child would take
her away from him. That was his first thought. But then--! Ah well,
he would have to leave it till the time. Love's young dream is never
so delicious as at the virgin age of fifty-three.

But he was quite cautious. He made no definite advances till he had
put a plain question. It was August Bank Holiday, that for ever
black day of the declaration of war, when his question was put. For
this year of our story is the fatal year 1914.

There was quite a stir in the town over the declaration of war. But
most people felt that the news was only intended to give an extra
thrill to the all-important event of Bank Holiday. Half the world
had gone to Blackpool or Southport, the other half had gone to the
Lakes or into the country. Lancaster was busy with a sort of fete,
notwithstanding. And as the weather was decent, everybody was in a
real holiday mood.

So that Dr. Mitchell, who h