ho proposed "Blind Man's Buff," and it was Bindle who
when blindfolded caught Mr. Sopley, who was not playing, and after
feeling all over his be-whiskered face guessed him as Millie; and it
was Mr. Winch who laughed so loudly that the others joined in.

Later, at Mr. Winch's suggestion, Bindle led a game of "Follow my
Leader," in which Mr. Sopley had been persuaded to join, and only Mrs.
Hearty remained sitting out. Bindle's imagination ran riot, and he led
his unwilling tail into many grotesque pranks. He crawled about on all
fours, barked like a dog, mewed like a cat, jumped and howled, laughed
and sang. In everything he was faithfully followed by Mr. Winch, who
seemed to enjoy himself with a thoroughness that astonished his
fellow-guests.

The riot culminated in Bindle kissing Millie, who was next to him. Mr.
Winch, who was third in the living tail, left no doubt in Millie's mind
that she was intended to pass on the compliment. Bindle watched with
keen enjoyment the embarrassment of his victims, in particular that of
Mrs. Bindle, who was next to Mr. Sopley, as she looked up enquiringly
at the pastor, who bent his head towards her with a weary smile.

"Look at my missis a-burrowin' in all them whiskers," whispered Bindle
to Mr. Winch.

Other games followed, and even Mr. Hearty's face lost that anxious,
haunted look that it had worn during the earlier part of the evening.
When Millie, Bindle, and Mr. Winch handed round the refreshments
everybody took something, and Mr. Hearty beamed. He became quite
conversational. His party was a success. His heart warmed towards Mr.
Winch and Bindle, and--he cut the pineapple.

At supper tongues became loosed, and everyone found that there was more
joy in the world than he or she had thought possible. Mr. Sopley's
grace had cast a momentary gloom over the table; but this quickly
passed away. After the meal Mr. Winch said "a few words," and told of
some native customs at similar gatherings, keeping his hearers in a
constant titter. It was he who suggested that Bindle, whom he
described as "our merry master-of-the-ceremonies," should propose a
vote of thanks to their host.

As Bindle rose with obvious satisfaction, Mr. Hearty caught Mrs.
Bindle's eye, and each knew what were the other's thoughts.

"Ladies an' gentlemen," began Bindle with all the assurance of an
inveterate after-dinner speaker, "I seen some funny things in me time,
includin' a stuffed kangaroo, an' a