"We'll fit you up a corking laboratory," began Austin cordially; "there
is--"

"You're very good; perhaps you'll all be civil enough to move out of the
house if I need more room for bottles and retorts--"

"Of _course_, Phil must have his laboratory," insisted Nina. "There's
loads of unused room in this big barn--only you don't mind being at the
top of the house, do you, Phil?"

"Yes, I do; I want to be in the drawing-room--or somewhere so that you
all may enjoy the odours and get the benefit of premature explosions.
Oh, come now, Austin, if you think I'm going to plant myself here on
you--"

"Don't notice him, Austin," said Nina, "he only wishes to be implored.
And, by the same token, you'd both better let me implore you to dress!"
She rose and bent forward in the firelight to peer at the clock.
"Goodness! Do you creatures think I'm going to give Eileen half an
hour's start with her maid?--and I carrying my twelve years' handicap,
too. No, indeed! I'm decrepit but I'm going to die fighting. Austin, get
up! You're horribly slow, anyhow. Phil, Austin's man--such as he
is--will be at your disposal, and your luggage is unpacked."

"Am I really expected to grace this festival of babes?" inquired Selwyn.
"Can't you send me a tray of toast or a bowl of gruel and let me hide my
old bones in a dressing-gown somewhere?"

"Oh, come on," said Austin, smothering the yawn in his voice and casting
his cigar into the ashes. "You're about ripe for the younger set--one of