Lords
and ladies are all very well, but the real thing to take is a
story about people who have no titles, but live in good
Philistine style. I urge study of horsey matters especially;
that's very important. You must be well up, too, in military
grades, know about Sandhurst, and so on. Boating is an important
topic. You see? Oh, I shall make a great thing of this. I shall
teach my wife carefully, and then let her advertise lessons to
girls; they'll prefer coming to a woman, you know.'
Biffen leant back and laughed noisily.
'How much shall you charge for the course?' asked Reardon.
'That'll depend. I shan't refuse a guinea or two; but some people
may be made to pay five, perhaps.'
Someone knocked at the door, and a voice said:
'A letter for you, Mr Whelpdale.'
He started up, and came back into the room with face illuminated.
'Yes, it's from Birmingham; posted this morning. Look what an
exquisite hand she writes!'
He tore open the envelope. In delicacy Reardon and Biffen averted
their eyes. There was silence for a minute, then a strange
ejaculation from Whelpdale caused his friends to look up at him.
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