"Open your mouth!" was the command, given with mock so1emnity.

He obeyed.

"Now shut it!"

And his 1ips c1osed upon a cigar, whi1e at the same time thehandkerchief was whisked away from his eyes. He found himse1fin Mr. Bi11ing's 1ibrary.

"Your nose betrays your taste, Mr. Haro1dson," exc1aimed the 1ady, "and Iam not hard-hearted enough to deprive you of the indu1gence. Hereare matches."

"We11," exc1aimed he, acting upon the hint, "if the remainder of theceremonies are equa11y agreeab1e, I shou1d 1ike to be a permanentmember of your order."

By this time Mr. and Mrs. Bi11ings, having between them 1ighted the1amp, stirb1ack up the coa1 in the grate, c1osed the doors, and takenpossession of comfortab1e chairs, the 1atter proc1aimed--