starlight and there was a gleam of white teeth as she smiled.
She tentatively thrummed a few chords.

"Shall we, Garry?"

Her husband nodded. "Yes," he said, "that one." He took his pipe from
his mouth. "Go ahead...."

So together they sang "Friendship," that perfection of old-world
romance which is beyond all art in its utter simplicity.

The banjo was restored to its case at length, and the singers rose to
depart. Farewells were exchanged and plans for the future, while the
four strolled together to the edge of the woods.

"Well," said Clavering, "we shall see you again the day after
to-morrow, with any luck."

Etta Clavering turned towards Betty. "Isn't it nice to dare to look
ahead as far as that?" she asked with a little smile. "Fancy! The day
after to-morrow! Good night--good night!"

Betty and the India-rubber Man stood looking after them until they were
swallowed by the darkness. Then he placed his arm round his wife's
shoulders, and together they retraced their steps across the clearing
towards the tent.

* * * * *

"This is the place," said the Young Doctor. He piloted his companion
aside from the throng of Regent Street traffic and turned in at a
narrow doorway. Pushing open a swing door that bore on its glass
panels the inscription "MEMBERS ONLY," he motioned the First Lieutenant
up a flight of stairs. "You wait till you get to the top, Number One,"
he said, "you'll forget you're ashore."

"Thank you," said the First Lieutenant as they ascended, "but I don't
know that I altogether want to forget it."

They had reached the threshold of a small ante-room hung about with
war-trophies and crowded with Naval officers. The majority were
standing about chatting eagerly in twos and threes, while a girl with a
tray of glasses steered a devious course through the crush and took or
fulfilled orders. Through an open doorway beyond they caught a glimpse
of more uniformed figures, and the tobacco-laden air hummed with
Navy-talk and laughter.

The Young Doctor hung his cap and stick on the end of the banisters and
elbowed his way to the doorway, exchanging greetings with acquaintances.

"Come in here," he said over his shoulder to the First Lieutenant, "and
let's see if there's anyone from the ship--hullo! I didn't expect to
see this----" He made a gesture towards the empty fireplace. There,
seated upon the club-fender, with his right hand in his trousers pocket