At the conclusion of the evening, the band was paid.
Mr Baffy got a shilling for his services, which he held in his hand and looked stupidly before him, till he got a cut with a bow from the second violinist, at which he put the money in his pocket. He then shouldered his bass viol and plunged out into the darkness.
Mavis's heart went out to Mr Baffy. She wondered where and how he lived; how he passed his time; what had reduced him to his present condition.
She spoke of him to Mr Poulter, who looked perplexed before replying:
"Ah, my dear young lady, it's as well for such as you not to inquire too closely into the lives of we who are artistes."
When Mavis had put on her hat and cloak, and was leaving the Athenaeum, Miss Nippett called out:
"It's all right; you can sleep sound; 'e's pleased with you."
"Who?" asked Mavis.
"Mr Poulter. Who else d'ye think I meant?"
Three days later, Mavis severed her connection with "Poulter's." Upon her going, Mr Poulter presented her with a signed photograph of himself in full war-paint, an eulogistically worded testimonial, also, an honorarium (this was his word) of five shillings. Mavis was loth to take it; but seeing the dancing-master's distress at her hesitation, she reluctantly pocketed the money.