Everybody at Plusham played croquet, and none badly. Next to their
purity of blood and great wealth, the family were famous for this
accomplishment. Yet Lothaw soon tired of the game, and after
seriously damaging his aristocratically large foot in an attempt to
"tight croquet" the Lady Aniseed's ball, he limped away to join the
Duchess.

"I'm going to the hennery," she said.

"Let me go with you, I dearly love fowls--broiled," he added,
thoughtfully.

"The Duke gave Lady Montairy some large Cochins the other day,"
continued the Duchess, changing the subject with delicate tact.


"Lady Montairy,
Quite contrairy,
How do your cochins grow?"


sang Lothaw gayly.

The Duchess looked shocked. After a prolonged silence, Lothaw
abruptly and gravely said:--

"If you please, ma'am, when I come into my property I should like
to build some improved dwellings for the poor, and marry Lady
Coriander."