arrangements. Nothing was forgotten. Ronnie's outfit was managed with as
little trouble to himself as possible. They dealt together, in a gay
morning at the Stores, with all interesting items, but those he called
"the dull things" apparently selected themselves. Anyway, they all
appeared in his room, when the time came for packing.

So whole-hearted was his wife's interest in the undertaking, that Ronnie
almost began to look upon it as her plan.

It was she who arranged routes and booked his passages.

When Cook's cheque had to be written it was a large one.

Helen took out her cheque book.

"No, no, dear," said Ronnie. "I must pay it out of my own earnings. It
is a literary speculation."

Helen hesitated. She knew Ronnie did not realise how much the new
building and necessary repairs on the estate were costing her this year.

"What is your balance at the bank, Ronnie?"

"I haven't the remotest idea."

"Darling, why don't you make a note of your last balance on your
counterfoil? Then at any moment you can add up all subsequent cheques
and see at a glance how you stand."

"Yes, I know, you have explained all that to me before, Helen. But, you