something of a practice here, I have no doubt. But for general work,
of course, you must he in a central position. Now, in Guilford Street
people will come to me."

"It should certainly be a pleasanter neighbourhood to live in," agreed
my mother.

"Later on," said my father, "in case I want the whole house for
offices, we could live ourselves in Regent's Park. It is quite near
to the Park."

"Of course you have consulted Mr. Hasluck?" asked my mother, who of
the two was by far the more practical.

"For Hasluck," replied my father, "it will be much more convenient.
He grumbles every time at the distance."

"I have never been quite able to understand," said my mother, "why Mr.
Hasluck should have come so far out of his way. There must surely be
plenty of solicitors in the City."

"He had heard of me," explained my father. "A curiou[s] old
fellow--likes his own way of doing things. It's not everyone who
would care for him as a client. But I seem able to manage him."

Often we would go together, my father and I, to Guilford Street. It
was a large corner house that had taken his fancy, half creeper
covered, with a balcony, and pleasantly situated, overlooking the
gardens of the Foundling Hospital. The wizened old caretaker knew us
well, and having opened the door, would leave us to wander through the