women but one (and precious lucky if he is), but he is particularly
keen where the one is concerned."

Mrs. Jack: "Atlas isn't keen about anything but the sweating
system. You needn't worry about him; your favourite Stevenson says
that a wet rag goes safely by the fire, and if a man is blind, he
cannot expect to be much impressed by romantic scenery. Atlas
momentarily a wet rag and temporarily blind. He told me on
Wednesday that he intended to leave all his money to one of those
long-named regenerating societies--I can't remember which."

Jack: "And it was on Wednesday you sent for Egeria. I see."

Mrs. Jack (haughtily): "Then you see a figment of your own
imagination; there is nothing else to see. There! I've packed
everything that belongs to me, while you've been smoking and gazing
at that railway guide. When do we start?"

Jack: "11.59. We arrive in Bideford at 4.40, and have a twelve-
mile drive to Clovelly. I will telegraph for a conveyance to the
inn and for five bedrooms and a sitting-room."

Mrs. Jack: "I hope that Egeria's train will be on time, and I hope
that it will rain so that I can wear my five-guinea mackintosh. It
poured every day when I was economizing and doing without it."

Jack: "I never could see the value of economy that ended in extra
extravagance."

Mrs. Jack: "Very likely; there are hosts of things you never can