o be annoyed about?"

"And while the cage was drying we put him among the bantams. They had
been the greatest allies. But I suppose they took him for a parrot or a
hawk, or something that bantams hate for while his cage was drying they
picked out his feathers, and PICKED and PICKED out his feathers, till he
was perfectly bald. 'Hugo, look,' said I. 'This is the end of Parsival.
Let me have no more surprises.' He burst into tears."

Thus did Mrs. Lewin create an atmosphere. At first it seemed unreal,
but gradually they got used to it, and breathed scarcely anything else
throughout the meal. In such an atmosphere everything seemed of small
and equal value, and the engagement of Rickie and Agnes like the
feathers of Parsival, fluttered lightly to the ground. Ansell was
generally silent. He was no match for these two quite clever women. Only
once was there a hitch.

They had been talking gaily enough about the betrothal when Ansell
suddenly interrupted with, "When is the marriage?"

"Mr. Ansell," said Agnes, blushing, "I wish you hadn't asked that. That
part's dreadful. Not for years, as far as we can see."

But Rickie had not seen as far. He had not talked to her of this at
all. Last night they had spoken only of love. He exclaimed, "Oh,
Agnes-don't!" Mrs. Lewin laughed roguishly.

"Why this delay?" asked Ansell.

Agnes looked at Rickie, who replied, "I must get money, worse luck."

"I thought you'd got money."

He hesitated, and then said, "I must get my foot on the ladder, then."

Ansell began with, "On which ladder?" but Mrs. Lewin, using the
privilege of her sex, exclaimed, "Not another word. If there's a thing I
abominate, it is plans. My head goes whirling at once." What she really
abominated was questions, and she saw that Ansell was turning serious.
To appease him, she put on her clever manner and asked him about
Germany. How had it impressed him? Were we so totally unfitted to
repel invasion? Was not German scholarship overestimated? He replied
discourteously, but he did reply; and if she could have stopped him
thinking, her triumph would have been complete.

When they rose to go, Agnes held Ansell's hand for a moment in her own.

"Good-bye," she said. "It was very unconventional of us to come as we
did, but I don't think any of us are conventional people."

He only replied, "Good-bye." The ladies started off. Rickie lingered
behind to whisper, "I would have it so. I would have you begin square
toge