on your writing-table--surely, unless I am wrong,
that--"

"That is a portrait of my only brother," you will say; "he is out in
India with his regiment--perhaps you may have met him there?"

"Thought I knew the face--met him at Simla, several times," says the
Captain; "wonderful how small the world is! But have you one of old
WATTY's photos? I should so like to see whether the dear old chap has
altered ... Ah, I should hardly have known him--and yet, yes, the same
cheery, jolly look, I can trace the boy there, I can see my old WATTY
again! No friends, my dear Mrs. GOSLING, like those we make in early
youth! And he never mentions me now? Ah! well, he has a very charming
excuse for forgetting the past--though I shall tell him when I see
him that I do think he might have remembered his old school-friend
a little better than he seems to have done. Your servant informed me
that he was seldom at home quite so early as this, but I thought if
I could not see _him_, I would at least give myself the pleasure of
making the acquaintance of his wife, so I just ventured to come in for
five minutes."

"WILLIAM will be so disappointed to have missed you," you say,
eagerly; "can't you wait and let me give you some tea? He may be back
in half an hour."

"In half an hour? Well, 'pon my word, you tempt me very much. I
shouldn't like to go away without seeing him, but I must send away my
cab first--no, it's not outside, left it at the corner of the road,
as I wasn't certain of the number--I s'pose I've got enough silver
to--no, I haven't, by Jove! _Could_ you oblige me by change for
a--well, really, this is very awkward. I've positively come out with
only a shilling--thought it was a sovereign! I shall have to ask dear
old WATTY to accommodate me--I've lent _him_ many a half-crown in
the old days. Absurd predicament to be in, and if I keep my cabman
waiting, I don't know what he mayn't charge me. I took him three hours
ago. I tell you what, my dear Mrs. GOSLING; If you'll advance me a
sovereign, I could run out and settle with the fellow, and then it
won't signify _how_ long I wait for WATTY. _Can_ you? Too good of
you, I'm sure! WATTY will chaff me when he hears I've been borrowing
like this, ha, ha!" Here your ear, sharpened by affection, catches
a well-known turn of the latch-key at your front-door. "Why, how
fortunate!" you exclaim, "here _is_ my husband already, Captain
CAULKER. He will come in as soon as he has changed his shoes.