"You three appear to be having a romp," said Mr. Welwyn genially. "You are evidently a lover of children, Mr. Stillbottle!"
Fortunately for the delicate ears of The Caution and The Cure, Mr. Stillbottle was still incapable of utterance. By the time that his two admirers had been escorted to the door by their progenitor and bidden to return to their own place, his power of speech had returned; but perceiving that the time for explanation was now past, the misjudged romper decided to postpone the refutation of the libel until some other occasion.
"Be seated, Mr. Stillbottle," said Mr. Welwyn politely.
Mr. Stillbottle selected the sofa, which it will be remembered had been marked as high as one pound fifteen.
"I hope you had a comfortable dinner," continued Mr. Welwyn.
"Thank you," replied Mr. Stillbottle briefly--"I 'ad."
Mr. Welwyn produced half-a-sovereign.
"I make a point of being punctilious over money matters," he said, handing the coin to the broker's man. "When our little--er--contract has been carried to a successful conclusion I shall be happy to hand you another."
Mr. Stillbottle pocketed the money.
"When may I expect the other?" he enquired.