to suit you?"

Other neighbors took it up.

"Any pretty girls in the company, Can?"

"How does it feel to be a great dramatist, old man?"

"When you goin' to hire a valet-chauffeur?"

"Better ask him when he's goin' to take us to rehearsal, to see
him in his glory."

"Gentlemen, gentlemen," said the hostess deprecatingly, "Miss
Cornish is trying to speak to Mr. Canby."

Miss Cornish, a middle-aged lady in black lace, sat at her
right, at the head of the largest table, being the most paying
of these paying guests, by which virtue she held also the
ingleside premiership of the parlour overhead. She was reputed
to walk much among gentles, and to have a high taste in letters
and the drama; for she was chief of an essay club, had a hushing
manner, and often quoted with precision from reviews, or from
such publishers' advertisements as contained no slang; and she
was a member of one of the leagues for patronizing the theatre
in moderation.

"Mr. Canby," said the hostess pleasantly, "Miss Cornish wishes
to--"