to eat it. Suddenly he
became conscious that all eyes were upon him, watching each bite and
every movement of the curiously large adam's-apple in his throat, which
always jumped about so when he ate. Nervously he picked up a plate and
placed the remains of the fig upon it, wishing he had not taken it.

Suddenly he had an inspiration. "We must have a game," he said with
ponderous geniality, putting down the plate containing the half-eaten
fig. "We'll play 'Here We Go Looping, Looping.'" With unaccustomed
energy and much labour and persuasion he marshalled all his guests in a
ring, all save Mrs. Hearty and Mr. Sopley.

After much persuasion, arrangement, and explanation, the ring was got
into joyless motion, the guests droning:

"Here we go looping, looping.
Here we go looping light.
Here we go looping, looping.
Looping all the night.
Put your noses in,
Put your noses out,
Shake them a little, a little, a little.
And then turn round about."

When they had shaken "a little, a little, a little" such portions of
their anatomy as Mr. Hearty thought it quite proper to mention, the
game ended with the same mirthlessness with which it had begun, and the
players resumed their seats with an air that seemed to say, "We are our
host's guests and must do as he bids us."

"They none of 'em seems to know wot to do wi' their 'ands," whispered
Bindle to Millie. "They're a rummy crowd. 'Earty must 'ave 'ad a rare
job to pick up such a little lot."

An awkward silence fell over the room.

"'Ave you ever played Kiss-in-the-ring, or Postman's-knock, sir?"
enquired Bindle of Mr. Sopley, at a moment when all attempts at
conversation seemed to have languished.

Mr. Sopley raised his eyes, and Mr. Hearty moved swiftly to his
assistance. At that moment the door opened and a fair-haired young
man, wearing the turndown collar and white tie of nonconformity,
entered. For a moment Mr. Hearty hesitated between his desire to save
Mr. Sopley and his duties as host, then with sudden decision threw his
pastor overboard, and turned to welcome the new arrival.

At the Alton Road Chapel a week's mission had been held by a young
missionary, whose remarkable preaching had been the sensation of the
hour. Mr. Hearty had summoned up sufficient courage to invite him to
the party, and the Rev. Edward Winch had accepted with a cordiality
which still further increased Mr. Hearty's embarrassment.

When the ceremony of introd