enchanted Beatrice, on a bit
of level pasture two fields away. "Come on!" cried Beatrice excitedly.
"Let's go and have a look! I've never seen an aeroplane close to."

Lionel smiled at her enthusiasm, and they set off at a brisk pace.
Leaving the garden by the little wicket at the back, they crossed the
tiny stream, dignified by the name of Shere, and walked on, chatting
happily till they were close upon the air-man. They could see him
walking round his machine, examining it with a parent's care, pulling
here, patting there, testing the tension of a wire, inspecting the
engine. Suddenly Beatrice stopped short. "Bother!" she said impatiently.
"I've left my hanky in the garden. I wonder if you'd mind----"

"Of course," said Lionel, glad, you may be sure, of the lightest
service. "You go on and learn to fly. I'll join you in five minutes."

He left Beatrice and ran back to the garden. But in spite of the most
careful search he could not see any trace of the handkerchief. He
searched the lawn, the chairs, the drive, but no handkerchief was
visible. "She must have lost it in the train," he thought, "or dropped
it on the road. Well, that's soon remedied."

Going into the house, he rang the dining-room bell. It was answered by
Forbes. "Get me a clean handkerchief, please," said Lionel. To his utter
amazement Forbes said "Yes, sir," and prepared to leave the room.

"Hi!" said Lionel, and Forbes stopped, flushing a dull red. Lionel
pulled himself together with an effort. "Excuse me, Forbes," said he,
striving to speak calmly: "I understood you were dumb. Has the age of
miracles revived, or what?"

Forbes bowed discreetly.

"Our local doctor is a very clever surgeon, sir," he replied blandly. "I
think you said a handkerchief, sir?"

He disappeared....

"Cleverness, Forbes," said Lionel when the footman returned, "is not
confined to doctors. I congratulate you ... on the recovery of speech."

"Thank you, sir," said Forbes with a well-bred humility. "I find it a
great blessing, I own. It opens out a new world."

He held the door, and Lionel passed out, his brain sagging heavily. A
few minutes later he rejoined Beatrice, who had more surprises in store.
She was chatting merrily with the air-man as he came up.

"This is great luck!" she said cheerfully to the astonished Lionel.
"Here's an old friend of mine dropped from the skies--yes!
literally!--to pay a friendly call. Let me introduce you: Mr.
Mortimer--Mr. Ashford