"Birchington! You don't mean to tell me the fellow was my brother?" "Yes." "Oh, I fancied I knew his face. Then that quite accounts for the attempt at extortion. Birchington is always in difficulties, and I daresay cab-driving doesn't pay too well. I hope, Mr. Rodney, you didn't give in to his demands?" "Well, really—he seemed so convinced, that I—just a sixpence, you know." "Dear, dear! That's the way to become poor, Mr. Rodney. You ought to take more care of your money, and not let my worthless brother prey on you. It's only two miles—not a step more. I'm so glad you are back from St. John's Wood, Mrs. Verulam. You were so difficult to get at there—even by omnibus." [Pg 45] [Pg 45] "It was rather far out." "And then the neighbourhood is hardly—— However, the Duke likes it, so I mustn't say a word against it. I believe he had rooms there or something, when he was only an eldest son. And he's always going to see them, for 'auld lang syne,' you know. Yes, I will have some tea, thank you. No sugar! Gout, you know; gout! We all have it, even poor Pearl! That's what depresses her so much." "No, mother, it is not the gout—it is the sorrows of life." "We must all feel that at times, I am sure," said Mr. Rodney sympathetically. "Not if we go to Carlsbad at regular intervals," said the Duchess, who was essentially a materialist. "But one can't always afford that." "I would rather try a sisterhood," said the Lady Pearl. "It would be cheaper," said the Duchess appraisingly. "It would be more retired—most apart, mother. That is the point." Mrs. Verulam glanced in an attracted manner at Lady Pearl. "Ah," she said; "you, too, feel the hollowness of society?" Mr. Rodney looked painfully shocked.
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