ence
to make conversation interesting, there was nothing about him by which
they could lay hold of him. Of course, that rendered them particularly
anxious to lay hold of him. Joseph's lady friends might, roughly
speaking, be divided into two groups: the unmarried, who wanted to marry
him to themselves; and the married, who wanted to marry him to somebody
else. It would be a social disaster, the latter had agreed among
themselves, if Joseph Loveredge should never wed.

"He would make such an excellent husband for poor Bridget."

"Or Gladys. I wonder how old Gladys really is?"

"Such a nice, kind little man."

"And when one thinks of the sort of men that _are_ married, it does seem
such a pity!"

"I wonder why he never has married, because he's just the sort of man
you'd think _would_ have married."

"I wonder if he ever was in love."

"Oh, my dear, you don't mean to tell me that a man has reached the age of
forty without ever being in love!"

The ladies would sigh.

"I do hope if ever he does marry, it will be somebody nice. Men are so
easily deceived."

"I shouldn't be surprised myself a bit if something came of it with
Bridget. She's a dear girl, Bridget--so genuine."

"Well, I think myself, dear, if it's anyone, it's Gladys. I should be so
glad to see poor dear Gladys settled."

The unmarried kept their thoughts more to themselves. Each one, upon
reflection, saw ground for thinking that Joseph Loveredge had given proof
of feeling preference for herself. The irritating thing was that, on
further reflection, it was equally clear that Joseph Loveredge had shown
signs of preferring most of the others.

Meanwhile Joseph Loveredge went undisturbed upon his way. At eight
o'clock in the morning Joseph's housekeeper entered the room with a cup
of tea and a dry biscuit. At eight-fifteen Joseph Loveredge arose and
performed complicated exercises on an indiarubber pulley, warranted, if
persevered in, to bestow grace upon the figure and elasticity upon the
limbs. Joseph Loveredge persevered steadily, and had done so for years,
and was himself contented with the result, which, seeing it concerned
nobody else, was all that could be desired. At half-past eight on
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Joseph Loveredge breakfasted on one cup
of tea, brewed by himself; one egg, boiled by himself; and two pieces of
toast, the first one spread with marmalade, the second with butter. On
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and S