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           AneveningortwoagoIhadputonawhitewaistcoatforcoolness,andwhilewalkingpastwithmythumbsinmywaistcoatpockets(ahabitIhave),oneman,seatedinthecart,andlookinglikeanAmerican,commencedsingingsomevulgarnonsenseabout“Ihadthirteendollarsinmywaistcoatpocket.”Ifancieditwasmeantforme,andmysuspicionswereconfirmed;forwhilewalkingroundthegardeninmytallhatthisafternoon,a“throw-down”crackerwasdeliberatelyaimedatmyhat,andexplodedonitlikeapercussioncap.Iturnedsharply,andampositiveIsawthemanwhowasinthecartretreatingfromoneofthebedroomwindows.

           August27.—CarrieandMrs.Jameswentoffshopping,andhadnotreturnedwhenIcamebackfromtheoffice.Judgingfromthesubsequentconversation,IamafraidMrs.JamesisfillingCarrie’sheadwithalotofnonsenseaboutdress.IwalkedovertoGowing’sandaskedhimtodropintosupper,andmakethingspleasant.

           Carriepreparedalittleextemporisedsupper,consistingoftheremainderofthecoldjoint,asmallpieceofsalmon(whichIwastorefuse,incasetherewasnotenoughtogoround),andablanc-mangeandcustards.Therewasalsoadecanterofportandsomejampuffsonthesideboard.Mrs.Jamesmadeusplayratheragoodgameofcards,called“Muggings.”Tomysurprise,infactdisgust,Lupingotupinthemiddle,and,inamostsarcastictone,said:“Pardonme,thissortofthingistoofastforme,Ishallgoandenjoyaquietgameofmarblesintheback-garden.