Thank You, Jeeves

Indeed, if I am not mistaken, trillions was the word he employed." " And then ? " " From a peculiar noise which he made with if I Ais mouth, I received the impression that Master ,- |3wight was sceptical concerning this claim. r.iV^ttt at this moment Mr. Stoker threw oil upon little troubled waters by announcing his intention h'^S fairing the troupe of negro minstrels to perform l "Sit the party. It appears that his lordship had I^^Nktioned their presence in Chuffnell Regis." And that went well ? " yM'" ^^ well* indeed, sir. Except that Master i^lbury said that he betted Master Dwight had |yer heard negro minstrels before. From a lark passed shortly afterwards by her lady-It, I gathered that Master Dwight had then &wn a potato at Master Seabury; and for lile a certain unpleasantness seemed to ten." licked my tongue. -'-."Wish somebody would muzzle those kids

and chain them up. They'll queer the whole thing." " The imbroglio was fortunately short-lived, sir. I left the whole company on what appeared to be the most amicable terms. Master Dwight protested that his hand had slipped, and the apology was gracefully received." " Well, bustle back and see if you can hear some more." " Very good, sir." I finished my sandwiches and half-hot, and lit a cigarette, wishing that I had told Jeeves to bring me some coffee. But you don't have to tell Jeeves things like that. In due course, up he rolled with the steaming cupful. "

Luncheon has just concluded, sir." " Ah I Did you see Miss Stoker ? " "

Yes, sir. I informed her that you desired a word with her, and she will be here shortly." " Why not now ? " " His lordship engaged her in conversation immediately after I had given her your message." " Had you told him to come here, too ? " " Yes, sir." " No good, Jeeves. I see a flaw. They will arrive together." " No, sir. On observing his lordship making in this direction, I can easily detain him for a moment on some matter." " Such as--? " " I have long been desirous of canvassing

ftAiS lordship's views as to the desirability of U'ifiy.rc'h.a.sing some new socks." " H'm I You know what you are when you it on to the subject of socks, Jeeves. Don't pt carried away and keep him talking for an WW.

I want to get this thing over." " I quite understand, sir." i ^ I *'

When did you see Miss Stoker ? " fc 'I 1 " About a quarter of an hour ago, sir." I1 " Funny, she doesn't turn up. I wonder W Utrhat they're talking about ? " I "I could not say, sir." I " Ah I "

;' I had observed a gleam of white among the I bushes. The next moment, the girl appeared. |h. She was looking more beautiful than ever, her f , <^es. in particuFar, shining like twin stars. w nevertheless, I did not waver in my view that I $' i»as jolly glad it was Chuffy who, if all went '^""KlIsH, was going to marry her, and not me. ) ^ ifiWd, how a girl may be a perfect knock-out, and *" j^t one can still feel that to be married to her Would give one the absolute pip. That's Life, a Sttppose. *, , ." Hallo, Bertie," said Pauline. " What's all * »i||Ns about your having a headache ? You seem It.liave been doing yourself pretty well, in if(r) of it." j^ I found I could peck a bit. You had better jfebese things back, Jeeves." '"' good, sir."

" And you won't forget that, if his lordship should want me, I'm here."

" No, sir." He gathered up the plate, cup and bottle and disappeared.

And whether I was sorry to see him go or not, I couldn't have said. I was feeling a good deal worked up. Taut, if you know what I mean. On edge. Tense. The best idea I can give you of my emotions at this juncture is to say that they rather resembled those I had once felt when starting to sing " Sonny Boy" at Beefy Bingham's Church Lads entertainment down in the East End. Pauline had grabbed my arm, and was beginning to make some species of communication. " Bertie," she was saying . . . But at this point I caught sight of Chuffy's head over a shrub, and I felt that the moment had come to act. It was one of those things that want doing quickly or not at all. I waited no longer.