ompensate him for
the loss of the hut, but Sir John pointed out to him that if he was not
satisfied his place could be easily filled by less exorbitant shepherds.
Sir John even condescended to explain that the laws of political economy
bind employers to buy labor in the cheapest market, and our poor friend,
just as ignorant of economics as Sir John, of course did not know that
this was untrue. However, as labor is actually so purchased everywhere
except in Downing Street and a few other privileged spots, I suggested
that our friend should go to some place where his market price would be
higher than in merry England. He was willing enough to do so, but unable
from want of means. So I lent him a trifle, and now he is on his way to
Australia. Workmen are the geese that lay the golden eggs, but they fly
away sometimes. I hear a gong sounding, to remind me of the fight of
time and the value of your share of it. Good-morning!"

Miss Wilson was suddenly moved not to let him go without an appeal to
his better nature. "Mr. Trefusis," she said, "excuse me, but are you
not, in your generosity to others a little forgetful of your duty to
yourself; and--"

"The first and hardest of all duties!" he exclaimed. "I beg your pardon
for interrupting you. It was only to plead guilty."

"I cannot admit that it is the first of all duties, but it is sometimes
perhaps the hardest, as you say. Still, you could surely do yourself
more justice without any great effort. If you wish to live humbly, you
can do so without pretending to be an uneducated man and without
taking an irritating and absurd name. Why on earth do you call yourself
Smilash?"

"I confess that the name has been a failure. I took great pains, in
constructing it, to secure a pleasant impression. It is not a mere
invention, but a compound of the words smile and eyelash. A smile
suggests good humor; eyelashes soften the expression and are the only
features that never blemish a face. Hence Smilash is a sound that should
cheer and propitiate. Yet it exasperates. It is really very odd that it
should have that effect, unless it is that it raises expectations which
I am unable to satisfy."

Miss Wilson looked at him doubtfully. He remained perfectly grave. There
was a pause. Then, as if she had made up her mind to be offended, she
said, "Good-morning," shortly.

"Good-morning, Miss Wilson. The son of a millionaire, like the son of a
king, is seldom free from mental disease. I am j