through England there are many hundreds who have no English friends.
In the old days they used to bring letters of introduction. But the
English are so inhospitable that these letters are hardly worth the
paper they are written on. `Thus,' said Le Ros, `the A.A.S.B. supplies
a long-felt want. Americans are a sociable people, and most of them
have plenty of money to spend. The A.A.S.B. supplies them with English
friends. Fifty per cent. of the fees is paid over to the friends. The
other fifty is retained by the A.A.S.B. I am not, alas, a director. If
I were, I should be a very rich man indeed. I am only an employe'. But
even so I do very well. I am one of the seers-off.'

Again I asked for enlightenment. `Many Americans,' he said, `cannot
afford to keep friends in England. But they can all afford to be seen
off. The fee is only five pounds (twenty-five dollars) for a single
traveller; and eight pounds (forty dollars) for a party of two or
more. They send that in to the Bureau, giving the date of their
departure, and a description by which the seer-off can identify them
on the platform. And then--well, then they are seen off.'

`But is it worth it?' I exclaimed. `Of course it is worth it,' said Le
Ros. `It prevents them from feeling "out of it." It earns them the
respect of the guard. It saves them from being despised by their
fellow-passengers--the people who are going to be on the boat. It
gives them a footing for the whole voyage. Besides, it is a great
pleasure in itself. You saw me seeing that young lady off. Didn't you
think I did it beautifully?' `Beautifully,' I admitted. `I envied you.
There was I--' `Yes, I can imagine. There were you, shuffling from
foot to foot, staring blankly at your friend, trying to make
conversation. I know. That's how I used to be myself, before I
studied, and went into the thing professionally. I don't say I'm