as there, "if she thought
she could ever learn to love me. Would you say that could be construed
into an offer of marriage?"

The remainder of the Club was unanimously of opinion that, practically
speaking, it was a proposal.

"I don't see it," argued Jack Herring. "It was merely in the nature of a
remark."

The Club was of opinion that such quibbling was unworthy of a gentleman.

It appeared to be a case for prompt action. Jack Herring sat down and
then and there began a letter to Miss Bulstrode, care of Mrs.
Postwhistle.

"But what I don't understand--" said Alexander the Poet.

"Oh! take him away somewhere and tell him, someone," moaned Jack Herring.
"How can I think with all this chatter going on?"

"But why did Bennett--" whispered Porson.

"Where is Bennett?" demanded half a dozen fierce voices.

Harry Bennett had not been seen all day.

Jack's letter was delivered to "Miss Bulstrode" the next morning at
breakfast-time. Having perused it, Miss Bulstrode rose and requested of
Mrs. Postwhistle the loan of half a crown.

"Mr. Herring's particular instructions were," explained Mrs. Postwhistle,
"that, above all things, I was not to lend you any money."

"When you have read that," replied Miss Bulstrode, handing her the
letter, "perhaps you will agree with me that Herring is--an ass."

Mrs. Postwhistle read the letter and produced the half-crown.

"Better get a shave with part of it," suggested Mrs. Postwhistle. "That
is, if you are going to play the fool much longer."

"Miss Bulstrode" opened his eyes. Mrs. Postwhistle went on with her
breakfast.

"Don't tell them," said Johnny; "not just for a little while, at all
events."

"Nothing to do with me," replied Mrs. Postwhistle.

Twenty minutes later, the real Miss Bulstrode, on a visit to her aunt in
Kensington, was surprised at receiving, enclosed in an envelope, the
following hastily scrawled note:--

"Want to speak to you at once--_alone_. Don't yell when you see me.
It's all right. Can explain in two ticks.--Your loving brother,
JOHNNY."

It took longer than two ticks; but at last the Babe came to an end of it.

"When you have done laughing," said the Babe.

"But you look so ridiculous," said his sister.

"_They_ didn't think so," retorted the Babe. "I took them in all right.
Guess you've never had as much attention, all in one day."

"Are you sure you took them in?" queried his sister.

"If you will come to the Club