“Haven’t you got to go and get some socks?” said Daphne desperately.

“I have.  Will you meet me for lunch, or shall I meet you?  I believe they do you very well at the Zoo.”

The salesman retired precipitately into an office, and my sister besought me tearfully to take her husband away.

“I might have known,” she said in a choking voice.  “I was a fool to bring him.”

“Let’s play at bears,” said her husband.  “It’s a priceless game.  Every one gets under a different rug and growls.”

Resignedly Daphne retired to the sofa.  Jill sank down upon the pile of rugs and shook silently.  Observing that we were unattended, another salesman was hurrying in our direction.  Before he could launch the inevitable question—­

“I want a dog licence and some magic lanterns,” said Berry.  “You know.  The ones that get all hot and smell.”

There was a shriek of laughter from Jill, and the unfortunate assistant looked round wildly, as if for support.

Clearly something had to be done.

I stepped forward and slid my arm through that of the delinquent.

“Enough,” said I.  “Come and devil the hosier.  If you’re not quick all the socks will be gone.”

My brother-in-law eyed me suspiciously.

“And leave my baggage?” he demanded, pointing to Daphne.  “Never.  This is a ruse.  Where is the manager of the emporium?  I dreamed about him last night.  He had brown boots on.”

I consulted my watch before replying.

“By the time we get to the Club, Martinis will be in season.”

“Do you mean that?” said Berry.

“I do.”

“And a small but pungent cigar?”

I nodded.

He turned to the bewildered salesman.

“Please attend to these ladies.  They want to choose an expensive-looking rug.  Preferably a Shiraz.  No doubt they will be safe in your hands.  Good morning.”

On the way out he stopped at a counter and purchased one of the prettiest bead bags I have ever seen.  He ordered it to be sent to Daphne.

* * * * *

The omnibus was sailing down Oxford Street at a good round pace, but it was the sudden draught from a side street that twitched my hat from my head.  I turned to see the former describe a somewhat elegant curve and make a beautiful landing upon the canopy of a large limousine which was standing by the kerb some seventy yards away.  By the time I had alighted, that distance was substantially increased.  In some dudgeon I proceeded to walk, with such remnants of dignity as I could collect and retain, in tie direction of my lost property.  Wisdom suggested that I should run; but I felt that the spectacle of a young man, hatless but otherwise decently dressed and adequately protected from the severity of the weather, needed but the suggestion of impatience to make it wholly ridiculous.  My vanity was rightly served.  I was still about thirty paces from my objective, when the limousine drew out from the pavement and into the stream of traffic which was hurrying east.