ience on hearing that they were to be told more about the Sunchild
Evidence Society melted away even more rapidly than before, and the
sermon fizzled out to an ignominious end quite unworthy of its occasion.

About half-past twelve, the service ended, and Hanky went to the robing-
room to take off his vestments. Yram, the Mayor, and Panky, waited for
him at the door opposite to that through which my father had been taken;
while waiting, Yram scribbled off two notes in pencil, one to Dr. Downie,
and another to Mrs. Humdrum, begging them to come to lunch at once--for
it would be one o'clock before they could reach the Mayor's. She gave
these notes to the Mayor, and bade him bring both the invited guests
along with him.

The Mayor left just as Hanky was coming towards her. "This, Mayoress,"
he said with some asperity, "is a very serious business. It has ruined
my collection. Half the people left the temple without giving anything
at all. You seem," he added in a tone the significance of which could
not be mistaken, "to be very fond, Mayoress, of this Mr. Higgs."

"Yes," said Yram, "I am; I always liked him, and I am sorry for him; but
he is not the person I am most sorry for at this moment--he, poor man, is
not going to be horsewhipped within the next twenty minutes." And she
spoke the "he" in italics.

"I do not understand you, Mayoress."

"My husband will explain, as soon as I have seen him."

"Hanky," said Panky, "you must withdraw, and apologise at once."

Hanky was not slow to do this, and when he had disavowed everything,
withdrawn everything, apologised for everything, and eaten humble pie to
Yram's satisfaction, she smiled graciously, and held out her hand, which
Hanky was obliged to take.

"And now, Professor," she said, "let me return to your remark that this
is a very serious business, and let me also claim a woman's privilege of
being listened to whenever she chooses to speak. I propose, then, that
we say nothing further about this matter till after luncheon. I have
asked Dr. Downie and Mrs. Humdrum to join us--"

"Why Mrs. Humdrum?" interrupted Hanky none too pleasantly, for he was
still furious about the duel that had just taken place between himself
and his hostess.

"My dear Professor," said Yram good-humouredly, "pray say all you have to
say and I will continue."

Hanky was silent.

"I have asked," resumed Yram, "Dr. Downie and Mrs. Humdrum to join, us,
and after luncheon we can disc