rld to comprehend that trees were not green
but blue. He had a very long nose and ate French mustard with his
macaroni. The conversation became cubical and coloured.

"I maintain," said the colourist, who was fiercely cynical, as might
have been anticipated of one who consumed such large quantities of
mustard, "that humanity is akin to the worm. The myth of Psyche and the
idea that we possess souls arose simply out of the contemplation of
colour by some primitive sensitive. Very delicately coloured young girls
were responsible for the legend, but humanity in the bulk is colourless
and therefore soulless. Large public gatherings fill me with intense
personal disgust. From Nelson's point of view, a popular demonstration
in Trafalgar Square must unpleasantly resemble a box of bait."

"Clearly you have never loved," said Don. "One day some misguided woman
may marry you. You will awaken to the discovery that she is different
from common humanity."

"Nearly every man considers his own wife to be different from other
women--until the third or fourth, day of the honeymoon."

He was incorrigible; French mustard had embittered his life. "Some men
are even more gross than women," he declared thoughtfully. "Cubically
they are stronger, but their colouring is less delicate."

His yellow-haired companion watched him with limpid faithful brown eyes,
hanging upon his words as upon the pronouncements of a Cumaean oracle.
Having concluded his luncheon with a piece of cheese liberally coated in
mustard he rose, shaking his head sadly.

"Don't shake your head like that," Don implored him. "I can hear your
brains rattling."

But smileless, the cynic departed, and Flamby looked after him without
regret. "If he painted as much as he talked," she said, "he would have
to hire a railway station to show his pictures."

"Yes, or the offices of the Food Controller. His conversation is
intensely interesting, but it doesn't mean anything. I have always
suspected him of keeping coal in his bath."

Orlando James came in, standing just by the doorway, one hand resting
upon his hip whilst he gnawed the nails of the other with his fine white
teeth. He wore the colours of a regiment with which he had served for a
time, and a silver badge on the right lapel of his tweed jacket.
Presently, perceiving Flamby, he advanced to the table at which she was
seated with Don. He had all the arrogance of acknowledged superiority.
"Hullo, kid," he said, droppi