rected his
wife, who had studied all such _minutiae_ in a handbook written by a lady
of unimpeachable authority. "The term is _never_ employed in ordinary
conversation, or on visiting cards. But, if you won't show a proper
spirit, I shall write myself to Mrs. Thistleton and propose one or two
dates."

"It would be no good, my love," said Mr. Stimpson, brought to bay,
"because, if you _must_ know, I--er--_did_ approach the subject with
Thistleton--and--well, his manner was not sufficiently encouraging to
induce me to try it again. Not so fond of being made to feel as if I was
no better than one of our own clerks. I get quite enough of _that_ from
old Cramphorn!"

"You should _assert_ yourself more, Sidney, if you want people to
respect you."

"I'm always asserting myself--but old Cramphorn never listens! Just goes
on his own way. Won't hear of any changes--what was good enough when the
firm started a hundred years ago is good enough for _him_--now I'm all
for _new_ ideas myself--Progress and so forth!"

"That's what has kept us back," said Mrs. Wibberley-Stimpson; "we should
have been in a far better set here than we're ever likely to be now if
you hadn't given yourself out as a violent Radical, when it's well known
that all best Gablehurst people are Conservatives, and several who are
not really entitled to be anything of the kind. As it is, I suppose I
must be content to pass my life in this suburban hole and mix with none
but second-rate people. But I certainly cannot expect Lady Harriet to
come here and meet them, so there's an end of it. If she imagines I've
no desire to pursue her acquaintance, it can't be helped, that's all!
And now you had better go up and dress."

The whole family were assembled by the time Mr. Stimpson
re-appeared--his wife was in her armchair by the standard lamp. Edna was
at the writing-table revising her notes of the afternoon's lecture, and
Clarence was seated close by, while Ruby was whispering earnestly to
Daphne on one of the chintz couches.

"All of you down before me, eh?" said the head of the family after the
usual salutations had been exchanged. "But I went up long after
everybody else. And not late after all--I've taught myself to dress in
well under ten minutes, you see!"

"Wish he'd taught himself not to wear a white tie with a dinner jacket!"
grumbled Clarence to Edna in an undertone.

"Couldn't you _tell_ him about it?" she replied.

"I could--but what'd be the good?