"Some people mightn't like to."

"That's their look-out," snapped Miss Nippett, who had a heart of
stone where the interests of anything antagonistic to "Poulter's"
were concerned.

At the conclusion of the evening, the band was paid.

Mr Baffy got a shilling for his services, which he held in his hand
and looked stupidly before him, till he got a cut with a bow from
the second violinist, at which he put the money in his pocket. He
then shouldered his bass viol and plunged out into the darkness.

Mavis's heart went out to Mr Baffy. She wondered where and how he
lived; how he passed his time; what had reduced him to his present
condition.

She spoke of him to Mr Poulter, who looked perplexed before
replying:

"Ah, my dear young lady, it's as well for such as you not to inquire
too closely into the lives of we who are artistes."

When Mavis had put on her hat and cloak, and was leaving the
Athenaeum, Miss Nippett called out:

"It's all right; you can sleep sound; 'e's pleased with you."

"Who?" asked Mavis.