"Not at all," said my lady. "D'you mean to say you chased us all that
way?"

"Further. And if it hadn't been for that fire-engine----"

"I remember. Wilkins turned down a side-street."

"Exactly."

"What a shame. Well, if you go to your hatter's you'll get it again."

"Your ingenuity is only equalled by your consideration. Isn't that
neatly put? You see, I'm writing a letter to _The Observer_, and, when I
get going, I can just say things like that one after another."

"How wonderful. But I'm afraid I'm interrupting you, and I shouldn't
like to deprive Humanity----"

"Your name," said I, "is Dot. But I shall call you Mockery. And if
you're half as sweet as you sound----"

"Good-bye."

I protested earnestly.

"Please don't say that. We've only just met. Besides ... why was Clapham
Common?"

"Clapham what?"