show; my idea is a few real good old pals and plenty of licker."

"You'll 'ave to 'ave both," observed Nathan Smith, whose knowledge of the
sex was pretty accurate.

Mr. Kybird nodded gloomily. "'Melia and Jack don't seem to 'ave been
'itting it off partikler well lately," he said, slowly. "He's getting
more uppish than wot 'e was when 'e come here first. But I got 'im to
promise that he'd settle any money that 'e might ever get left him on
'Melia."

Mr. Smith's inscrutable eyes glistened into something as nearly
approaching a twinkle as they were capable. "That'll settle the five
'undred," he said, warmly. "Are you goin' to send Cap'n Nugent an invite
for the wedding?"

[Illustration: "Are you goin' to send Cap'n Nugent an invite for the
wedding?"]

"They'll 'ave to be asked, o' course," said Mr. Kybird, with an attempt
at dignity, rendered necessary by a certain lightness in his friend's
manner. "The old woman don't like the Nugent lot, but she'll do the
proper thing."

"O' course she will," said Mr. Smith, soothingly. "Come over and 'ave a
drink with me, Dan'l it's your turn to stand."