ane. And I've been there to-day since
Cavendish Square, so anyhow, if I give it to Dolly, my father and mother
will have it too.... Oh no--she's not rumpling me at all! I like it." It
was satisfactory to know that an Earl and Countess were pledged to have
Typhus if Dolly caught it. Dolly evidently thought the combination of
circumstances as good as a play, and a sprightly one.

Gwen was not sorry when the young ambassador came rushing back,
shouting:--"The Man says--the Man says--the Man says it wouldn't take
above half a minute to do, and is the loydy a-coming up?
Because--because--because if the loydy _oyn't_ a-coming up
_he_--_has_--_to_--get back to the shop." This last was so draconically
delivered that Gwen exclaimed:--"Come along, Dolly, we've got our
orders!" And she actually carried that great child up all those stairs,
and she going to be four next birthday!

Upstairs, the lock-expert was apologetic. "Ye see, miss," he explained,
"our governor he's the sort of man it don't do to disappynt him, not
however small the job may be. I don't reckon he can wait above a half an
hour for anything, 'cos it gets on his narves. So we studies not puttin'
of him out, at our shop." At which Gwen interrupted him, sacrificing her
own interest in the well-marked character of this governor, to the
business in hand; and the prospect, for him, of an early release from
his anxiety.

As for the achievement which had been postponed, it really seemed a'most
ridiculous when you come to think of it. Such a fuss, and those two men
standing about the best part of an hour! At least, so Mrs. Burr said
afterwards.

For the operation, all told, was merely this--that the young man
inserted a bent wire into the lock, thereby becoming aware of its
vitals. Withdrawing it, he slightly modified the prejudices of its tip;
after which its reinsertion caused the lock to spring open as by magic.
He wished to know, on receipt of a consideration from Gwen, whether she
hadn't anything smaller, because it only came to eighteenpence for his
time and his mate's, and he had no change in his pocket. Gwen explained
that none was needed owing to the proximity of Christmas, and obtained
thereby the good opinion of both. They expressed their feelings and
departed.

And then--there was old Mrs. Picture's writing-table drawer, stood open!
But only a little way, to show. For the lady's hands alone were to open
it clear out, to remove the contents. Gwen felt that