"By George," cried Mr. Bingle; "you are a fine fellow, Dick, as I've
always said. You are a gentleman."

"Thank you, sir," said Flanders simply, for he was a gentleman.

On the first day of July the incomparable Diggs gave notice. It was
like a clap out of a clear sky.

"My goodness, Diggs, you don't--you CAN'T mean it," gasped Mr. Bingle.

"I do mean it, sir, I'm sorry to say, sir," said Diggs. "It was on my
mind to mention the matter last spring, sir, but the hunfortunate
quarantine made it quite out of the question. I wish to state, sir,
that I would not 'ave left your service at a time like that. You 'ave
been the kindest, most thoughtful of masters, sir, and I trust I shall
never be the man to go back on a gentleman who--er--I mean to say,
sir, a gentleman who deserves the best of treatment from his
servants."

"I'm sure I appreciate your good opinion, Diggs. But, tell me, is it a
matter of wages? If it is, I think we may be able to arbitrate the
question."

"No, sir. Wages has nothing to do with it, sir. My wages 'ave been
quite satisfactory, as my savings will prove. As a matter of fact, Mr.
Bingle, I 'ave laid by a very neat little sum, which I took the
liberty of investing in a small business before giving notice, sir,
the hopportunity presenting itself while you were so worried over the
sickness that I felt it would be quite wrong to disturb you with my