bring all these people
here to prove it on your own statement."

She bit her Up. "Are you going to be mean? Are you going to play the
game?" She awaited his reply with an anxiety she strove to disguise.

Bowen looked straight into her eyes until they fell beneath his gaze.

"I'm afraid I've got to be mean, Patricia," he said quietly. "May we
smoke?"

As she took a cigarette from his case and he lighted it for her,
Patricia found herself experiencing a new sensation. Without apparent
effort he had assumed control of the situation, and then with a
masterfulness that she felt rather than acknowledged, had put the
subject aside as if requiring no further comment. This was a side of
Bowen's character that she had not yet seen. As she was debating with
herself whether or no she liked it, the door opened, giving access to a
stream of Galvin Houseites.

"Oh!" gasped Patricia hysterically, "they're all dressed up, and it's
in your honour."

"What's that?" enquired Bowen, less mentally agile than Patricia, as he
turned round to gaze at the string of paying guests that oozed into the
room.

"They've put on their best bibs and tuckers for you," she cried. "Oh!
please don't even smile, _ple-e-e-ase_!"

The first to enter was Miss Wangle. Although she had not changed her
dress, it was obvious that she had taken considerable pains with her
personal appearance. On her fingers were more than the usual weight of
rings; round her neck were flung a few additional chains; on her arms
hung an extra bracelet or two and, as a final touch, she had added a
fan to her equipment. To Patricia's keen eyes it was clear that she
had re-done her hair, and she carried her lorgnettes, things that in
themselves betokened a ceremonial occasion.

Following Miss Wangle like an echo came Mrs. Mosscrop-Smythe. She had
evidently taken her courage in both hands and donned the blue evening
frock, to which she had added a pair of white gloves which reached
barely to the elbow, although the frock ended just below her shoulders.

Miss Wangle bowed graciously to Patricia, Mrs. Mosscrop-Smythe followed
suit. They moved over to the extreme end of the room. Mr. Cordal was
the next arrival, closely followed by Mr. Bolton. At the sight of Mr.
Cordal Patricia started and bit her lower lip. He had assumed a vivid
blue tie, and had obviously changed his collar. From the darker spots
on his waistcoat and coat it was evident that he had subjected