y into
the night.

Next morning I came round to my house--MY house, my boy!--for good
and all, after paying off my landlady. Her bill came to more than I
expected, for I only had breakfast and tea, always "dining out" as I
majestically expressed it. However, it was a relief to me to get it
settled, and to go round with my box to Oakley Villas. An ironmonger had
fixed my plate on to the railings for half-a-crown the evening before,
and there it was, glittering in the sun, when I came round. It made me
quite shy to look at it, and I slunk into the house with a feeling that
every window in the street had a face in it.

But once inside, there was so much to be done that I did not know what
I should turn to first. I bought a one-and-ninepenny broom and set to
work. You notice that I am precise about small sums, because just there
lies the whole key of the situation. In the yard I found a zinc pail
with a hole in it, which was most useful, for by its aid I managed to
carry up all the jaws with which my kitchen was heaped. Then with my new
broom, my coat hung on a gas-bracket and my shirt sleeves turned to the
elbow, I cleaned out the lower rooms and the hall, brushing the refuse
into the yard. After that I did as much for the upper floor, with the
result that I brought several square yards of dust down into the hall
again, and undid my previous cleaning. This was disheartening, but at
least it taught me to begin at the furthest point in future. When I had
finished, I was as hot and dirty as if it were half-time at a football
match. I thought of our tidy charwoman at home, and realised what
splendid training she must be in.

Then came the arranging of the furniture. The hall was easily managed,
for the planks were of a dark colour, which looked well of themselves.
My oakum mat and my umbrella stand were the only things in it; but
I bought three pegs for sixpence, and fastened them up at the side,
completing the effect by hanging my two hats upon them. Finally, as the
expanse of bare floor was depressing, I fixed one of my curtains about
halfway down it, draping it back, so that it had a kind of oriental
look, and excited a vague idea of suites of apartments beyond. It was a
fine effect, and I was exceedingly proud of it.

From that I turned to the most important point of all--the arrangement
of my consulting room. My experience with Cullingworth had taught me
one thing at least,--that patients care nothing about your house