[_Another silence, at the end of which she rises and walks
slowly away, pausing at the gate to see whether he intends to
follow. As he does not appear to have remarked her absence,
she walks on._

_Podbury_ (_to Culch., in an undertone_). I say, those two don't seem
to hit it off exactly, eh? Seem sorry they came! You'll be glad to
hear, old fellow, that we needn't separate after all. Just found my
purse in my trouser-pocket!

_Culch._ Better luck than you deserve. Didn't I tell you you should
have a special pocket for your money and coupons? Like this--see.
(_He opens, his coat._) With a buttoned flap, it stands to reason they
_must_ be safe!

_Podb._ So long as you keep it buttoned, old chap,--which you don't
seem to do!

_Culch._ (_annoyed_). Pshaw! The button is a trifle too--(_feels
pocket, and turns pale_). Good Heavens, it--it's _gone_!

_Podb._ The button?

_Culch._ (_patting himself all over with shaking hands_).
Everything!--money, coupons, circular notes! They--they must have
fallen out going up that infernal Niederwald. (_Angrily._) You _would_
insist on going!

_Podb_. Phew! The whole bag of tricks gone! You're lucky if you get