ok his cap from his head and sent it spinning across the
road. Lord Arranmore left the hall at the same time, and turned
homewards, walking like a man in a dream.

CHAPTER VII

BROOKS AND HIS MISSIONS

"Now then, please," Brooks said, dipping his pen in the ink.

A lady of ample proportions, who had been standing since the
commencement of the proceedings with her hand tightly grasping the leg
of Brooks' table, gave a final shove of discomfiture to a meek-faced
girl whom she had suspected of an attempt to supersede her, and
presented herself before the desk.

"I'm first," she declared, firmly; "been 'ere for four mortal hours."

"What is your name, please?" Brooks asked.

"Mrs. Robert Jones, No. 4, St. Mary's Court, down Fennell
Street--leastways you go that way from 'ere. I'm a widow woman with
four children, and lost me husband on the railway. What I wants is a
suit of clothes for my Tommy, he's five-and-'arf, and stout for his
years, and a pair of boots for Selina Ann. And I'm not a saying," she
continued, blandly, "as me having waited 'ere so long, and this being a
sort of opening ceremony, as a pound of tea for myself wouldn't be a
welcome and reasonable gift. And if the suit," she concluded,
breathlessly, "has double-seated breeches so much the better."

Brooks maintained the most perfect composure, although conscious of a
suppressed titter from behind. He commenced to write rapidly in his
book, and Mrs. Jones, drawing her shawl about her, looked around
complacently. Suddenly she caught the ripple of mirth, which some of
Brooks' helpers were powerless to control. Her face darkened.

"Which is little enough to ask for," she declared, truculently,
"considering as it's four mortal hours since I first laid hold of the
leg of that table, and neither bite nor sup have I had since, it not
being my habit," she continued, slowly, and staring intently at the hang
of her neighbour's skirt, "to carry bottles in my pocket."

Brooks looked up.

"Thank you, Mrs. Jones," he said. "I have entered your name and
address, and I hope we shall see you again soon. This young lady," he
indicated Mary, "will take you over to our clothes department, and if we
haven't anything to fit Tommy you must come again on Wednesday, when we
shall have a larger supply."

"I'll take the nearest you've got to-day," she decided, promptly. "Wot
about the tea?"

"We shall be glad to ask you to accept a small packet," Brooks answered.
"B