I were a nasty stuffy mummy, now, you would be embracing me by,
this time. Don't you know that I have come to dinner, you silly
man?" and she tapped him playfully with her closed fan.

"I have had dinner," said Braddock, egotistic as usual.

"No, you have not." Mrs. Jasher spoke positively, and pointed to
a small tray of untouched food on the side table. "You have not
even had luncheon. You must live on air, like a chameleon--or
on love, perhaps," she ended in a significantly tender tone.

But she might as well have spoken to the granite image of Horus
in the corner. Braddock merely rubbed his chin and stared harder
than ever at the glittering visitor.

"Dear me!" he said innocently. "I must have forgotten to eat.
Lamplight!" he looked round vaguely. "Of course, I remember
lighting the lamps. Time has gone by very rapidly. I am really
hungry." He paused to make sure, then repeated his remark in a
more positive manner. "Yes, I am very hungry, Mrs. Jasher." He
looked at her as though she had just entered. "Of course, Mrs.
Jasher. Do you wish to see me about anything particular?"

The widow frowned at his inattention, and then laughed. It was
impossible to be angry with this dreamer.

"I have come to dinner, Professor. Do try and wake up; you are
half asleep and half starved, too, I expect."

"I certainly feel unaccountably hungry," admitted Braddock