Silly ass!"

"I can't think of anything. My mind's like pap. I keep on writing and
writing, but I only get a pile of words. That was bad enough, but to-day
I can't write at all. I simply can't write...."

"Haven't you got a theme?"

"Vaguely, yes, but the thing won't come to life. The people lie about
like logs, and ... damn them, they won't move!"

"Look here," said Gilbert, "I'm tired of work. Let's chuck it for a
while. You're obviously off colour, and a holiday'll do you good. Let's
go out somewhere for the day anyhow. I've a first night this evening.
We'll wind up with that!"

"What's the play?" Henry asked.

"A revival. They're bringing Wilde's 'The Ideal Husband' on at the St.
James's again," Gilbert answered. "Alexander's very good in it...."

"That's the fashionable theatre, isn't it?"

Henry's knowledge of London was still very limited, and he seldom
visited the theatre, chiefly because Gilbert, who had to visit them all,
spoke of the English drama with contempt.

"Yes," Gilbert replied. "All the Jews and dukes go there. Suppose we go
for a row on the Serpentine, Quinny? You can pull the oars for an hour.
It'll do you no end of good, and I'll lie in the bottom of the boat and
watch you. That'll do me no end of good. Come on, let's get out of
this!"

4

They came away from the boathouse, and as they walked towards Hyde Park
Corner, a motor-car drove slowly past them.

"Who's that?" said Henry, as Gilbert raised his hat to the lady who was
seated in the car.

"Lady Cecily Jayne," Gilbert answered.

"Oh!... She's very beautiful."

"Think so?"

"Yes."

"I'll introduce you to her to-night. She's certain to be at the theatre.
We ought to make certain of getting a ticket for you, Quinny. Let's go
down to the theatre and book a seat."

They came out of the Park and walked down Piccadilly to St. James's
Street and presently turned the corner of the street in which the
theatre is situated. Henry was able to secure a stall, but it was not
next to Gilbert's. It was in the last row.

"Never mind," said Gilbert, "we can meet between the acts. My seat's at
the end of a row, and you can easily get out of yours. If Cecily's in a
box, she'll probably ask us to stay in it. She likes to have people
about her!"

Henry wanted to talk about Lady Cecily to Gilbert, but the tone of his
voice as he said, "She likes to have people about her!" prevented him
from doing so. It was odd, he reflected, that Gilbe