t will be delightful to have some exercise," she interrupted firmly.
"Which way are you going?"
"Which way! Oh, to--towards--"
The Prophet stopped. He did not know from what point the purple 'bus
started to gain the Pork Butcher's Rest. Capricornus hastened to inform
him.
"We take the purple 'bus at the corner of Air Street," he piped.
"The purple 'bus!" cried Lady Enid. "The purple bus!"
She glanced searchingly at the Prophet.
"Ah!" she murmured, "so you are taking a purple 'bus to your double
life!"
He could not deny it. They were now all walking forward in the sun and
as the little Corona and Capricornus became speedily intent upon the
wonders of this central district, Lady Enid and the Prophet were able to
have a quiet word or two together.
"I came to tell you," she said, "that Mrs. Vane Bridgeman will expect
you to-night at--"
"I am engaged at eleven," cried the Prophet, in despair at the
imposition of this fresh burden upon his weary shoulders.
"I know. To the Lord Chancellor, but--"
"No. I have an engagement which I dare not break, at home."
"Really!"
She gazed at him with her large, handsome grey eyes, and added,--
"I do believe you're silly enough to live your double life at home
sometimes. How splendid!"
"No, no! I assure you--"
"Of course you do! You dear foolish thing! You're ever so much sillier
than I am. You're my master."
"No, indeed, no, no!"
"But you can go to Mrs. Bridgeman's for an hour easily. She expects you
and I've promised that you will go."
"It's very kind of you, but really--"
"So that's settled. You'll meet me there, but don't forget I'm Miss
Minerva Partridge. The address is Zoological House, Regent's Park, that
big house in a garden just outside the Zoo."
"The big house in the Zoological Gardens," said the Prophet, feebly.
"Thank you very much."
"No, no, outside the Zoo. And then we can arrange to-night about your
introducing her to Mr. Sagittarius."
"Hush! Hush!" whispered the Prophet.
But he was too late. The long ears of the little pitchers had caught the
well-known word.
"Why, that's pater familias," piped the little Capricornus.
"And mater familiaris," added the little Corona.
"You don't mean to say," cried Lady Enid to the Prophet, "that these are
the children of Mr. Sagittarius?"
The Prophet bent his head.
"How very interesting!" said Lady Enid. "Everything is working out most
beautifully. I must get them some choco
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