"One must have something," said Dolly. "How is your nose now,
Mr. Carter?"

I looked at Dolly. I had better not have done that.

"Would afternoon tea hurt it?" she inquired anxiously.

"It would do it good," said I decisively.

And that is absolutely the whole story. And what in the world
Mrs. Hilary found to disapprove of I don't know--especially as I
didn't tell her half of it! But she did disapprove. However,
she looks very well when she disapproves.



THE HOUSE OPPOSITE

We were talking over the sad case of young Algy Groom; I was
explaining to Mrs. Hilary exactly what had happened.

"His father gave him, said I "a hundred pounds, to keep him for
three months in Paris while he learnt French."

"And very liberal too," said Mrs. Hilary.

"It depends where you dine," said I. "However, that question did
not arise, for Algy went to the Grand Prix the day after he
arrived--"