the past. Mrs. Mills
listened to the arguments, and agreed to substitute a new
resolution--namely, that a reply was to be written couched in terms
which could not be charged with the defect of ambiguity.

"I shan't help you with the spelling," declared the girl.

"Somehow or other," complained Mrs. Mills, "you always seem to manage
to get everything your own way."

"Not always."

One gratifying result of the evening party came in the fact that
Bulpert decreased his visits. For two or three weeks he absented
himself from Praed Street; and Mrs. Mills approved this, mentioning as
one of the reasons, that it was not wise for an engaged couple to have
too much of each other's company. When he did call, Mrs. Mills
reported of him that he appeared to have something on his mind; he left
before Gertie arrived, and without disclosing the nature of the burden.

As a rule, it happened at Great Titchfield Street that one good
contract was followed by a slack period, when the difficulty was to
find sufficient work to keep all hands going. But here and now, a high
authority ordered some alteration in the uniform of certain of His
Majesty's officers of the army, and either Madame or Miss Higham was
called frequently to Pall Mall; and, in a brief period, all the
outworkers were again busy: Great Titchfield Street found itself so
fully occupied that the girls had no time to recall songs learned at
the second house of their favourite music hall. Into the hum and
activity of this busy hive came, one evening, Madame's husband, making
his way to the office where Madame and Miss Higham faced each other at
sloping desks. He began to shout; it was clear that on the way from
King's Road he had been taking refreshment to encourage determination.
When he raised his fist, Gertie stepped forward.

"Miss Higham," said Madame calmly, "I wish you would just run
downstairs and fetch a policeman."

Madame's husband instantly showed a diminution of aggressiveness. All
he wanted was fair play and reasonable treatment. If there did not
happen to be a five-pound note handy, gold would do; failing gold, he
must, of course, be content with silver.

"You will go out of this place at once," ordered Madame, in an even
voice; "and as a punishment for disobeying my orders, I shall not give
you a single penny all this week. I know very well what you want money
for. I know what you do with money when I give it to you."

"Impossible to discuss th