And besides, I really
haven't a single free evening this week. But I must see if we can't
_arrange_ something. You really must drop me a line _next_ time
you're coming up! Good-bye, dears, we mustn't keep you from the
pictures--such a fine collection this winter! Love to your Mother,
and say I shall try to call--if I _possibly_ can!

_Mr. T.R._ (_as they descend the stairs_). I say, SELINA, you forgot
to ask 'em where they are. Shall I run back and find out, eh?

_Mrs. T.R._ Not on _any_ account. They're probably at the Grand as
usual, and if they're not, it will be a very good excuse if I can't
call. You are such a _fusser_, ALFRED!

_Miss Sophy_ (_to_Miss MARY_). What a let-off! I wouldn't have minded
lunch so much--but _dinner_--no, thank you, my dear!

_Miss Mary_ (_gloomily_). She may call on Mother and ask us all yet.

_Miss Sophy_. She doesn't know where we are, and I took good care not
to tell her. It's getting too dark to see much, but we'll just walk
through the rooms, to say we've done it--shall we? [_They do._

* * * * *

A SETTLER FOR MR. WOODS.--Mrs. RAM does not at all wonder at Amateurs
being able to "pick up old pieces of china at CHRISTY's," for she has
often heard that you've only got to go to King Street, where anyone
may see them "knocked down under a hammer."

* * * * *

[Illustration: "OFF HIS FEED."

_Salisbury the Vet._ "HUM! SEEMS TO HAVE WASTED A BIT! WANTS A
TONIC."]

* * * * *

[Illustration: "THINGS ARE NOT WHAT THEY SEEM."

_Mr. Foozler_ (_who, while waiting for the last Train, has wandered
to the end of the Platform, opened the door of the Signal-box, and
watched the Signalman's manipulations of the levers for some moments
with hazy perplexity, suddenly_). "ARF O' BURT'N 'N BIRRER F' ME,
GUV'NOR!"]

* * * * *

"OFF HIS FEED!"

SCENE--_The St. Stephen's Stables. Stall of the Favourite,
"Majority," who is being inspected by the great "Vet."
(S-L-SB-RY) in presence of the Groom (B-LF-R), and the
Stable-help (CH-PL-N)._

_Stable-help_ (_anxiously_). Why, he used to be a stunner, and a
safe and steady runner,
And we trusted him, most confident, for landing us the Stakes
Now, what can the cause of _this_ be? He's a-looking queer and
quisby;
And his off fore leg seems shaky, and the rest ain't no _great_