ntinuous traffic, tight wedged in the narrow street,
moving at a mere footpace, every horse's nose touching the back of the
next vehicle. The sun could not shine too hotly; it made colours
brighter, gave a new beauty to the glittering public-houses, where
names of cooling drinks seemed to cry aloud. He enjoyed a "block," and
was disappointed unless he saw the policeman at Wellington Street
holding up his hand whilst the cross traffic from north and south
rolled grandly through. It always reminded him of the Bible
story--Moses parting the waters of the Red Sea.

He was in the full enjoyment of this spectacle when an odour of cloves
breathed across his face, and a voice addressed him.

"Isn't that you, Mr. Gammon? Well, if I didn't think so!"

The speaker was a young woman, who, with a male companion, had just
mounted the bus and seated herself at Gammon's back. Facing round he
recognized her as a friend of Polly Sparkes, Miss Waghorn by name, who
adorned a refreshment bar at the theatre where Polly sold programmes.
With a marked display of interesting embarrassment Miss Waghorn
introduced him to her companion, Mr. Nibby, who showed himself cordial.

"I've often heard talk of you, Mr. Gammon; glad to meet you, sir. I
think it's Berlin wools, isn't it?"

"Well, it was, sir, but it's been fancy leather goods lately, and now
it's going to be something else. You are the Gillingwater burners, I
believe, sir?"

Mr. Nibby betrayed surprise.

"And may I ask you how you know that?"

"Oh, I've a good memory for faces. I travelled with you on the
Underground not very long ago, and saw the name on some samples you
had."

"Now, that's what I call smart observation, Carrie," said the
Gillingwater burners, beaming upon Miss Waghorn.

"Oh, we all know that Mr. Gammon's more than seven" replied the young
lady with a throaty laugh, and her joke was admirably received.

"Business good, sir?" asked Gammon.

"Not bad for the time of year, sir. Is it true, do you know, that
Milligan of Bishopsgate has burst up?"

"I heard so yesterday; not surprised; business very badly managed.
Great shame, too, for I know he got it very cheap, and there was a
fortune in it. Two years ago I could have bought the whole concern for
a couple of thousand."

"You don't say so!"

Mr. Gammon was often heard to remark that he could have bought this,
that, or the other thing for something paltry, such as a couple of
thousands. It was not idle boast