e if I see Verona myself. Seems a
pity to separate now we _have_ met, _don't_ it? See here, now, we'll
_all_ go along to Verona together--how's that, MAUD? Start whenever
_you_ feel like it, Miss PRENDERGAST. How does that proposal strike
you? I'll be real hurt if you cann't take to my idea.

_Miss T._ The fact is, Poppa, HYPATIA isn't just sure that Mr.
PRENDERGAST wouldn't object.

_Bob P._ I--object? Not _much_! Just what I should _like_, seeing
Verona with--all _together_, you know!

_Miss T._ Then I guess _that's_ fixed. (_Aside, to Miss P., who is
speechless_). Come, you haven't the heart to go and disappoint my poor
Cousin CHARLEY by saying you won't go! He'll be perfectly enchanted
to be under vow--unless you've filled up _all_ the vacancies already!
(_Aloud, to VAN B., as he approaches_.) We've persuaded Miss
PRENDERGAST to join our party. I hope you feel equal to entertaining
her?

_Van B._ I shall be proud to be permitted to try. (_To Miss P._) Then
I may take it that you agree with me that the function of the future
American fictionist will be-- [_They move away, conversing._

_Podb._ (_To CULCH._) I say, old fellow, we're to be travelling
companions again, after all. And a jolly good thing, too, _I_
think!... eh?

_Culch._ Oh, h'm--quite so. That is--but no doubt it will be an
advantage--(_with a glance at Van B., who is absorbed in Miss P.'s
conversation_)--in--er--_some_ respects. (_To himself._) Hardly from
poor dear PODBURY's point of view, I'm afraid, though! However, if
_he_ sees nothing--! [_He shrugs his shoulders, pityingly._

* * * * *

OUR BOOKING-OFFICE.

Pocket-books for next year are coming in. Which for choice? "_Solvitur
ambulando_" should be the resolution of the difficulty, given by
one firm at least, that firm being "WALKER." They are handy, and
conveniently pocketable, but to "The chiels amang ye taking notes,"
plain leaves, and no fruit, and no dates, we should say, would be
preferable. They're reasonable prices, and you can't expect to get 'em
for nothing; if you do--"WALKER!"

[Illustration]

The Baron highly approves of Messrs. DE LA RUE's pocket-books. It is
pleasant to have something in one's pocket, even if only a book. As
to account-books and diaries--well enter nothing therein but what has
been pleasant and profitable, and most diarians who adopt this rule
will not find their memoranda overcrowded at the end of the year.
"Letts be h