ot this morning," said Ralph, "as I came here. It seemed hot
rowing against the stream."

"It is part of the day's work," said More. "When I was Chancellor I
loved nothing more than a hot summer's day in Court, for I thought of my
cool garden where I should soon be walking. I must show you the New
Building after dinner, Mr. Torridon."

Cecily and Margaret presently had a short encounter across the table on
some subject that Ralph did not catch, but he saw Margaret on the other
side flush up and bring her lips sharply together. Sir Thomas leapt into
the breach.

"_Unde leves animae tanto caluere furore?_" he cried, and glanced up at
Ralph to see if he understood the quotation, as the two girls dropped
their eyes ashamed.

"_Pugnavare pares, succubuere pares_," said Ralph by a flash of
inspiration, and looking at the girls.

Sir Thomas's eyes shone with pleasure.

"I did not know you were such a treasure, Mr. Torridon. Now, Master
Cromwell could not have done that."

There fell a silence as that name was spoken, and all at the table eyed
Ralph.

"He was saying as much to me the other day," went on Ralph, excited by
his success. "He told me you knew Horace too well."

"And that my morals were corrupted by him," went on More. "I know he
thinks that, but I had the honour of confuting him the other day with
regard to the flagon and gloves. Now, there is a subject for Martial,
Mr. Torridon. A corrupt statesman who has retired on his ill-gotten
gains disproves an accusation of bribery. Let us call him Atticus
'Attice ... Attice' ...--We might say that he put on the gloves lest his
forgers should be soiled while he drank from the flagon, or something of
the kind."

Sir Thomas's eyes beamed with delight as he talked. To make an apt
classical quotation was like wine to him, but to have it capped
appropriately was like drunkenness. Ralph blessed his stars that he had
been so lucky, for he was no great scholar, and he guessed he had won
his host's confidence.

Dinner passed on quietly, and as they rose from table More came round
and took his guest by the arm.

"You must come with me and see my New Building," he said, "you are
worthy of it, Mr. Torridon."

He still held his arm affectionately as they walked out into the garden
behind the house, and as he discoursed on the joys of a country life.

"What more can I ask of God?" he said. "He has given me means and tastes
to correspond, and what man can say more. I see