She comes downstairs. “Is she,” asks the lady manageress, “to be dressed for evening or for day, a fête or for what?”

   Well then, that's all settled.

   Terms, so much an hour, and something for herself. What the French call a

    pour boire

   .

   This is a genuinely good idea, and one to be adopted, I am sure. What an excellent profession for ladies of good family and education, of a certain age, and an uncertain income.

   They might form a Social Beguinage, on the model of the one at Ghent. No vows. All sorts of dresses. All sorts of feeding. Respectable address. And a Home.

   Boodels' grandmother, it turns out, is deaf.

   Here again what a recommendation for a chaperon! and how very few employments are open to deaf people. No harmless, bodily ailment would disqualify, except a violent cold and sneezing.

   A chaperon with a song: useful. Consider this idea

    in futuro

   . Put it down and assist the others in our list.

   We ought to make our company a good salad.

   I propose my friend, Jenkyns Soames.

   Jenkyns Soames is a scientific man.

   “We mustn't be

    dull

   ,” says Boodels, which I feel is covertly an objection to my friend.

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