I say, Estimate it roughly.

   He does it, after a day or so.

    Rough Estimate.

   About £8,000.

   “That,” I say, a little staggered, “is rather

    over

   the mark than under it, eh?”

   “

    Over?

   No,” he replies, “

    Under.

   I mean, of course, to have everything done well, thoroughly well. Of course,” says he, “there are men who will run you up a house in a few weeks and charge you about £4,000. But what's the result? Why you're always repairing, and it costs you, in the end, double what you'd have paid for having it thoroughly well done at first.”

   I ask how long the building would take? Chilvern is of opinion that it would be six months at the least.

   Then I say I'll give it up. I wanted it for Christmas.

   Then the notion of the party must be abandoned.

    Happy Thought.

   —An abandoned party! Dreadful character.

   Boodels says he's sorry for that, as he can't go into his own house just now, it being under repair.

   Cazell suddenly exclaims, “I tell you what we ought to do!” We listen. He goes on. “We ought to take a house for the Winter Season, the lot of us together, and then ask our own friends.”

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