CHAPTER I

THE BROTHER OF DAPHNE

by

Dornford Yates

Chapter I Punch and Judy

Chapter II Clothes and the man

Chapter III When it was dark

Chapter IV Adam and New Year's eve

Chapter V The Judgement of Paris

Chapter VI Which to adore

Chapter VII Every picture tells a story

Chapter VIII The Busy Beers

Chapter IX A point of honour

Chapter X Pride goeth before

Chapter XI The love scene

Chapter XII The order of the bath

Chapter XIII A lucid interval

Chapter XIV A private view

Chapter XV All found

CHAPTER I

PUNCH AND JUDY

"I said you'd do something," said Daphne, leaning back easily in her

long chair.

I stopped swinging my legs and looked at her.

"Did you, indeed," I said coldly.

My sister nodded dreamily.

"Then you lied, darling. In your white throat," I said pleasantly.

"By the way, d'you know if the petrol's come?"

"I don't even care," said Daphne. "But I didn't lie, old chap. My

word is--"

"Your bond? Quite so. But not mine. The appointment I have in Town

that day--"

"Which day?" said Daphne, with a faint smile.

"The fete day."

"Ah!"

It was a bazaar fete thing. Daphne and several others--euphemistically

styled workers--had conspired and agreed together to obtain money by

false pretences for and on behalf of a certain mission, to wit the

Banana. I prefer to put it that way. There is a certain smack about

the wording of an indictment. Almost a relish. The fact that two

years before I had been let in for a stall and had defrauded fellow men

and women of a considerable sum of money, but strengthened my

determination not to be entrapped again. At the same time I realized

that I was up against it.

The crime in question was fixed for Wednesday or Thursday--so much I

knew. But no more. There was the rub. I really could not toil up to

Town two days running.

"Let's see," I said carelessly, "the fete's on--er--Wednesday, or

Thursday, is it?"

"Which day are you going up to Town?" said Daphne. I changed my ground.

"The Bananas are all right," I said, lighting a cigarette.

"They only ate a missionary the other day," said my sister.

"That's bad," said I musingly. "To any nation the consumption of home

produce is of vital--"

"We want to make sixty pounds."

"To go towards their next meal? How much do missionaries cost?"

"To save their souls alive," said Daphne zealously.

"I'm glad something's to be saved alive," said I.

Before she could reply, tea began to appear. When the footman had

retired to fetch the second instalment of accessories, I pointed the

finger of scorn at the table, upon which he had set the tray.

"That parody emanated from a bazaar," I said contemptuously.

"It does for the garden," said my sister.

"It'd do for anything," said I. "Its silly sides, its crazy legs-"

"Crazy?" cried Daphne indignantly. "It'd bear an elephant."

"What if it would?" I said severely. "It's months since we gave up the

elephants."

"Is the kettle ready?"

"It boils not, neither does it sing."

"For which piece of irreverence you will do something on Thursday."

"My dear girl," I said hurriedly, "if it were not imperative for me to

be in Town--"

"You will do something on Thursday." I groaned.

"And this," I said, "this is my mother's daughter! We have been nursed

together, scolded together, dandled in the same arms. If she had not

been the stronger of the two, we should have played with the same toys."

I groaned again. Berry opened his eyes.

"The value of a siesta upon a summer afternoon--" he began.

I cut in with a bitter laugh. "What's he going to do?" I said.

"Take a stall, of course," said Daphne.

"Is he?" said Berry comfortably. "Is he? If motoring with Jonah to

Huntercombe, and playing golf all day, is not incompatible with taking

a stall on Thursday, I will sell children's underwear and egg cosies

with eclat. Otherwise--"

"Golf," I said, "golf! Why don't I play golf?"

"I know," said Berry; "because--"

"Miserable man!" said Daphne.

"Who?" said her husband.

"You."

Berry turned to me. "You hear?" he said. "Vulgar abuse. And why?

Simply because a previous engagement denies to me the opportunity of

subscribing to this charitable imposition. Humble as would have been

my poor assistance, it would have been rendered with a willing heart.

But there!" he sighed--"It may not be. The Bananas will never know,

never realize how---- By the way, who are the Bananas?"

"The Bananas?" said I. "Surely you know the--"

"Weren't at Ascot, were they?"

"Not in the Enclosure. No. The bold, bad Bananas are in many ways an

engaging race. Indeed, some of the manners and customs which they

affect are of a quite peculiar interest. Let us look, brother, for a

moment, at their clothing. At the first blush--I use the word

advisedly--it would seem that, like the fruit from which they take

their name--"

"I thought you'd better do some tricks," said Daphne, throwing a dark

look in my direction.

"Of course," I said; "the very thing. I've always been so good at

tricks."

"I mean it," said Daphne.

"Of course you do. What about the confidence trick? Can any lady

oblige me with a public-house?"

"She means trick-cycling, stupid," said Berry. "Riding backwards on

one wheel while you count the ball-bearings."

"Look here," I said, "if Berry could have come and smoked a cigarette,

I wouldn't have minded trying to flick the ash off it with a

hunting-whip."

"Pity about that golf," mused Berry. "And you might have thrown knives

round me afterwards. As it is, you'll have to recite."

In a few telling sentences I intimated that I would do nothing of the

kind.

"I will appear," I said at last, "I will appear and run round

generally, but I promise nothing more."

"Nonsense," said my sister. "I have promised, and I'm not going to let

you break my word. You are going to do something definite."

"Desperate?"

"Definite. You have three days in which to get ready. There's Jill

calling me. We're going to run over to Barley to whip up the Ashton

crowd. D'you think we've enough petrol?"

"I don't even care," said I.

Daphne laughed softly. Then: "I must go," she said, getting up. "Give

me a cigarette and tell me if you think this dress'll do. I'm going to

change my shoes."

"If," said I, producing my cigarette-case, "if you were half as nice as

you invariably look--"

"That's a dear," she said, taking a cigarette. "And now, good-bye."

I watched her retreating figure gloomily.

Berry began to recite 'We are Seven.'

Thursday morning broke cloudless and brilliant. I saw it break.

Reluctantly, of course; I am not in the habit of rising at cock-crow.

But on this occasion I rose because I could not sleep. When I went to

bed on Wednesday night, I lay awake thinking deeply about what I was to

do on the morrow. Daphne had proved inexorable. My brain, usually so

fertile, had become barren, and for my three days' contemplation of the

subject I had absolutely nothing to show. It was past midnight before

I fell into a fitful slumber, only to be aroused three hours and a half

later by the sudden burst of iniquity with which two or more cats saw

fit to shake the silence of the rose-garden.

As I threw out the boot-jack, I noticed the dawn. And as further sleep

seemed out of the question, I decided to dress and go out into the

woods.

When I slipped out of Knight's Bottom into the sunlit road to find

myself face to face with a Punch and Judy show, I was not far from

being momentarily disconcerted. For a second it occurred to me that I

might be dreaming, but, though I listened carefully, I could hear no

cats, so I sat down on the bank by the side of the road and prepared to

contemplate the phenomenon.

When I say 'Punch and Judy show' I am wrong. Although what I saw

suggested the proximity of a Punch and a Judy, to say nothing of the

likelihood of a show, I did not, as a matter of fact, descry any one of

the three. The object that presented itself to my view was the tall,

rectangular booth, gaudy and wide-mouthed, with which, until a few

years ago, the streets of London were so familiar. Were! Dear old

Punch and Judy, how quickly you are becoming a thing of the past! How

soon you will have gone the way of Jack-i'-the Green, Pepper's Ghost,

the Maypole, and many another old friend! Out of the light into the

darkness. The old order changeth, yielding place to new, and in a

little space men shall be content to wonder at your ancient memory as

their grandfathers marvelled at that of the frolics of my Lord of

Misrule. However.

There was the booth. But that was all. It stood quite alone at the

side of the white road. I walked round it. Nothing. I glanced up and

down the road, but there was no one in sight. I had been feeling

hungry, for it was seven o'clock; but this was better than breakfast,

and I returned to the bank. The little red curtains fluttered, as a

passing breeze caught them, and I marked how bright and new they

looked. It was certainly in good condition--this booth.

"Well?" said a voice.

"Well?" said I.

A pause. A girl's voice it was: coming from within the booth.

"You seem rather surprised," said the voice.

"No, no," I said, "not really surprised. Only a little staggered. You

see, I know so few booths."

"What are you doing here?"

"To be frank, booth, I'm waiting."

"I'm waiting, too."

"So?" said I. "I wait, you wait, let us wait, ye shall have been about

to see, they would--"

"What are you waiting for?"

"Developments. And you?"

"My breakfast."

I looked up and down the road. "I don't see it coming," I said

anxiously. "What's it look like?"

"Milk. You don't happen to have any, I suppose?"

I felt in my pockets.

"There, now," I said, "I must have left it on the piano. I got up

rather hurriedly this morning," I added apologetically.

"Never mind."

"I'll tell you what, booth, I'll go and get some."

"No, thanks very much. Don't you bother; it'll come along presently."

"Are you sure? This isn't 'The Blue Bird.'"

"Yes, it's all right--really."

There was another pause. Then:

"Hadn't you better be getting back to breakfast?" said the girl.

"Not much," said I. "I don't run up against booths every day.

Besides--"

"Besides what?"

"Well, booth, I'm awfully curious."

"What do you want to know?"

"You're very good."

"I didn't say I'd tell you."

"I'll risk that. In a word, why are you?"

"Ah!"

I waited in silence for a few moments. At length:

"Suppose," she said slowly, "suppose a bet had been made."

"A bet?"

"A bet."

"Shocking! Go on."

"Well? Isn't that enough?"

"Nothing like."

"I don't think much of your imagination."

I raised my eyes to heaven. "A prophet is not without honour," I

quoted.

"Is this your own country?"

"It is."

"Oh, I say, you'd be the very man!"

"I am," I said. "Refuse substitutes."

It gradually appeared that, in a rash moment, she had made some silly

wager that she could give a Punch and Judy show on her own in the

village of Lynn Hammer and the vicinity. Of course, she had not meant

it. She had spoken quite idly, secure in the very impracticability of

the thing. But certain evil-disposed persons--referred to mysteriously

as 'they'--had fastened greedily upon her words, and, waving aside her

objection that she had no paraphernalia, deliberately proceeded to

provide the same, that she might have no excuse. The booth was run up,

the puppets procured. The gentle hint that she wanted to withdraw had

been let fall at the exact moment with deadly effect, and--the wicked

work was done. She had been motored over and here set down, complete

with booth, half an hour ago. They were going to look back later, just

to see how she was getting on. The ordeal was to be over and the wager

won by six o'clock, and she might have the assistance of a native in

her whimsical venture.

"Right up to the last I believe the brutes thought I would cry off,"

she said. "I very nearly did, too, when it came to it. Only I saw

Peter smiling. It is rather a hopeless position, isn't it?"

"It was. But now that you've got your native--"

"Oh!" she said. Then: "But I've got one."

"Where?"

"He's getting the milk."

"I don't believe he is. Anyway, you can discharge him and take me on.

I've been out of work for years. Besides, you've been sent. In your

advent I descry the finger of Providence."

"I wish I did. What do you mean?"

"This day," I said, "I am perforce a zealot."

"A what?"

"A zealot--a Banana zealot. You, too, shall be a zealot. We will

unite our zeal, and this day light such a candle--"

"The man's mad," she said. "Quite mad."

I explained. "You see," I said, "it's like this. Simply miles away,

somewhere south south and by south of us, there are a lot of heathen.

They're called Bananas. I don't know very much about it, but there

seems to be a sort of understanding that we should keep them in

missionaries. So every now and then the 'worker' push here get up a

fete thing and take money off people. Then they find one and send him

out. Well, there's one of these stunts on this afternoon, and I've

been let in to do something. That's why I look so pale and

interesting. The last day or two I've been desperate about it. But

now..."

"Now what?"

"If you'd let me help you to-day, we could take the show to the fete

and simply rake it in. It's a splendid way of winning your bet, too.

Oh, booth, isn't it obvious that you've been sent?"

"It certainly would be nicer than giving performances about the

village," she said musingly. "If only I knew you--"

"You don't know the fellow who isn't getting the milk," I objected.

"That's different. He'd be only a servant."

"I would be the same."

There was a pause. A rabbit loped into the road and blinked curiously

at the booth. Then he saw me and beat a hasty retreat.

"It is in a good cause," I urged. "You don't know the Bananas; they're

absurdly--er--straight."

"It's all very well for you," she said; "you know everybody here. But

it would be an impossible position for me; I don't know a soul. Now,

if we were both strangers--"

"Well?"

"Well, then they wouldn't worry as to who we were and what we had to do

with one another."

"Then let's both be strangers."

"How can you be strange to order?"

"Hush!" I said. "I will disguise me. At home I have put away a

Pierrot dress not one of them knows anything about, and I think I can

raise a mask. If I--"

A stifled exclamation from the booth made me look up. Framed in its

mouth, her arms folded and resting on the ledge, was the girl.

What I could see of her was dressed as a Pierrot. Her hair was

concealed under a black silk cap, and the familiar white felt conical

hat sat jauntily over one ear. A straight, white nose, and a delicate

chin, red lips parted and smiling a little, such a smile as goes always

with eyebrows just raised, very alluring--so much only I saw. For the

rest, a strip of black velvet made an irritating mask.

I made her a low bow.

"I can see this is going to be a big thing," I said. "Won't you come

down?"

"I haven't even said I'll take you,"

"Please."

"You're sure to be recognized, and then, what about me?"

"Oh, no, I shan't. If necessary, I'll wear a false nose. I've got one

somewhere."

"Here's my milk."

I looked round and beheld a small boy approaching with a jug.

"Was that the best you could do in the native line?"

"You needn't sneer. I'm not over-confident about my second venture."

"Well, a knave's better than a fool, any day."

"I'm sure I hope so."

She slipped down out of sight into the booth again, to reappear a

moment later in the road: and by her side a beautiful white

bull-terrier, a Toby ruff about his sturdy neck.

"Good man," said my lady, pointing a finger at me. "Good man."

The dog came forward, wagging his tail. I stooped and spoke with him.

Then I turned to his mistress. She had discarded her white hat and

drawn on a long dust-coat, which reached almost to her ankles. She

held it close about her, as she walked. It showed off her slim figure

to great advantage. Below, the wide edges of white duck trousers just

appeared above shining insteps and high heeled shoes.

When the urchin had come up, she took the jug from him with both hands.

"I shall have to drink out of it," she said, raising it to her lips

with a smile.

"Of course. Why not? Only ..."

I hesitated.

"What?"

"Hadn't you better--I mean, won't the mask get in your way?"

She lowered the jug and looked at me. "No; it won't get in the way.

Thanks all the same," she said steadily. "Not all to-day."

"It's in the way now."

"Not my way."

I saw her eyes watching my face as she drank, and when she took the jug

from her lips she was smiling.

We had some difficulty in persuading the boy to leave us; but at

length, a heavy bribe, coupled with the assurance that we should be at

the fete in the afternoon, had the desired effect, and he went slowly

away.

Thereafter we took counsel together.

As a result, it was decided that we should fold the booth--it shut up

like a screen--and convey it, puppets and all, a little way into the

wood. It was early yet, but some people would be passing along the

road, and we were not yet ready to combat the curiosity that the

appearance of a Punch and Judy show would be sure to arouse. That

done, she would lie close in the wood with Toby, while I made off home

and changed.

As I started off, after settling her in the bracken, I heard the

village clock strike the half-hour. Half-past seven. I gained the

house unobserved. No one was abroad except the servants, but I heard

Daphne singing in the bathroom.

I had worn the Pierrot dress two years ago at a fancy-dress ball.

There it lay with its mask at the bottom of the wardrobe. The change

was soon completed, and I stood up a proper Folly, from the skull cap

upon my crown to the pumps upon my feet. It took some time to find the

nose, but luck was with me, and at last I ran it to earth in an old

collar-box. Truly an appalling article, it stuck straight out from my

face like a fat, fiery peg, but between that and the mask, my disguise

would defy detection.

Suddenly I had a brilliant idea. Sitting down, I scribbled a note to

Daphne to the effect that, owing to a sleepless night, my nerve had

forsaken me, and that, unable to face the terror of the bazaar, I had

fled to Town, and should not be back till late. I added that I should

be with her in the spirit, which, after all, was the main thing.

I put on a long overcoat and a soft hat. The nose went into one

pocket, the mask into another. Then I went cautiously downstairs and

into the dining-room. It was empty, and breakfast was partially laid.

In feverish haste I hacked about a pound of meat off a York ham and

nearly as much off a new tongue. Wrapping the slices in a napkin, I

thrust them into the pocket with the nose. To add half a brown loaf to

the mask and drain the milk jug was the work of another moment, and,

after laying the note on Daphne's plate, I slipped out of the French

windows and into the bushes as I heard William come down the passage. A

quarter of an hour later I was back again in the wood.

She was sitting on a log, swinging her legs to and fro. When I took

off my coat and hat, she clapped her hands in delight.

"Wait till you see the nose," said I.

When presently I slipped that French monstrosity into place, she

laughed so immoderately that her brown hair broke loose from under the

black silk cap and tumbled gloriously about her shoulders.

"There now," she said. "See what you've done."

"Good for the nose," said I.

"It's all very well to say that, but it took me ages to get it all

under the wretched cap this morning."

"I shouldn't put it back again if I were you. You see," I went on

earnestly, "everybody will know you're a girl, Judy dear."

"Why, Punch?" She drew aside the dust coat and revealed the wide

Pierrot trousers she was wearing.

"Priceless," I admitted. "But what I really love are your feet."

She looked concernedly at her little, high-heeled shoes.

I stooped to flick the dust from their patent leather.

"Thank you, Punch. What shall I do about my hair, then?"

"Wear it in a pig-tail. I'll plait it for you. It'll be worth another

sovereign to the Bananas."

"If you put it like that--" she said slowly.

"I do, Judy."

If the suggestion was not prompted by motives which were entirely

disinterested, I think I may be forgiven.

"I say, Judy," I said a little later, pausing unnecessarily in my work,

and making pretence to comb with my fingers the tresses as yet

ungathered into the plait.

"Yes? What a long time you are!"

Well, there was a knot.

She tried to look round into my face at that, but I vigorously

unplaited about two inches, which seemed to satisfy her. For me, I

thought of Penelope and her web and the wooers, and smiled.

"Well, what is it, Punch?"

"About the mask."

"No good!"

"But, Judy--"

For the next two minutes I did a little listening. When she paused for

breath:

"Have some ham," I suggested.

"Bother the ham! Do you hear what I say?"

"I heard you bother the ham."

"Before that?"

"Something about a mask, was it?"

"Give me back my hair," she demanded.

"No, no," I said hastily, "not that! I won't ask again."

"Promise."

"I promise."

When I had finished the plaiting, I tied the ends with a piece of

ribbon which she produced, kissed them, and sat down in the grass at

her feet.

We had oceans of time, for the fete did not begin till two. But we

agreed there must be a rehearsal of some kind.

"What do you know about yourself, Punch?"

"I have a foggy recollection of domestic differences."

"You used to beat me cruelly."

"Ah, but you had a nagging tongue, Judy. I can hear your defiant

'wootle' now."

Her lips parted in a smile at the reminiscence, and before they closed

again she had slipped something between them. The next instant the

wood rang with a regular hurricane of toots and wootles.

"Oh, Judy!"

"Wootle?" she said inquiringly.

"Rather! But hush--you'll wake the echoes."

"And why not? They ought to be up and about by now."

I shook my head.

"They're a sleepy folk," I said; "they get so little rest. The day is

noisy enough, but at night, what with dogs baying the moon, and the

nightjars calling, when owls do cry--"

"When owls do cry--"

"--and the earnest but mistaken chanticleer, they have a rotten time.

Poor echoes! And they wake very easily here."

"Don't they everywhere?"

"Oh, no! I know some that are very heavy sleepers. In fact, it's

hopeless to try and wake them without the welkin."

"The welkin?"

"Yes, you make him ring, you know. They nearly always hear him. And

if they don't the first time, you make him ring again."

For a little space she laughed helplessly. At last:

"I am an idiot to encourage you. Seriously," she added, "about the

little play."

"Presently by us to be enacted?"

"The plot," I said, "is as follows. Punch has a row with Judy and

knocks her out. (Laughter.) Various well-intentioned and benignant

fools look in on Punch to pass the time of day, and get--very

properly--knocked out for their pains. (Loud and prolonged laughter.)

This is followed by the side-splitting incident in which a handy clown

not only eludes the thirsty bludgeon, but surreptitiously steals the

inevitable sausages. Exit clown. Punch, already irritated at having

missed clown, misses sausages, and exit in high dudgeon. Re-enter

Judy, followed by sausaged clown, who comforts her. (Oh, Judy!)

Re-enter Punch. Justifiable tussle. Punch sees sausages and begins to

find his length. Clown sees stars and exit. Punch knocks out Judy

with a left hook. To him, gloating, enter constable. It seems Judy's

knock-out more serious than usual. Constable suggests that Punch shall

go quietly. Punch does not see it, and retires to fetch persuader.

Constable protests and is persuaded. (Laughter.) Enter ghost--not

clear whose ghost, but any ghost in a storm. Punch unnerved. Ghost

gibbers. Punch more unnerved. Ghost gibbers again. Punch terrified.

Exit ghost and enter hangman, to whom Punch, unstrung by recent

encounter with apparition, falls an easy prey. Curtain. You bow from

the mouth of the booth. I adjust nose and collect money in diminutive

tin pail. How's that?"

"Lovely, Punch! But where does Toby dear come in?"

At the mention of his name the terrier rose and went to her. His

mistress stroked his soft head.

"In the background," said I. "Or the offing (nautical). I don't think

he'd better act. Let him be stage-door-keeper."

"All right. Now open the puppet-box."

It was a nice set of puppets, and they were very simple to manipulate.

They fitted easily on to the hand, the forefinger controlling the head,

and the thumb and second finger the arms. The old fellow's cudgel was

a dream.

We decided that I had better stick to Punch and Punch alone. For the

others she would be answerable.

After rehearsing for half an hour, we stopped for breakfast. In the

absence of cutlery, it was a ragged meal, but what mattered that? We

were for letting the world slip--we should ne'er be younger.

People were stirring now. Carts rumbled in the distance, and cars sang

past on the long, white road. Presently came one that slowed and

slowed and stopped.

It was unfortunate that, but a moment before, I should have grown

impatient of a large piece of crust and thrust it bodily into my mouth.

But although articulation at this interesting juncture was out of the

question, I laid an eloquent hand upon her arm and crowded as much

expression as I could into a swollen and distorted visage. She glanced

at me and collapsed in silent infectious laughter. And so it happened

that, while we two conspirators lay shaking in the bracken, her friends

turned their car wonderingly round and drove slowly back into the

village away from her they sought.

Another hour and a half of somewhat desultory rehearsal found us

'wootle' perfect and ready for anything. So we laid the puppets by,

fed Toby with brown bread and tongue, and rested against the labours of

the afternoon.

The time passed quickly enough--too quickly.

It was a few minutes past one when, having adjusted my mask and slid my

nose into position, I got the booth upon my shoulders and stepped out

into the road.

"Come along," I said encouragingly.

"I'm afraid. Oh, there's something coming."

"Nonsense! I wish I hadn't packed that bludgeon."

"I'm nervous, Punch."

"Will you make me drag you along by the hair of your head? Of course,

it'd be in the picture right enough, but I rather want two hands for

this infernal booth. However, let me once get a good grip on that soft

pigtail--"

"What--again?"

"Ah, that was in love, Judy."

The next second she had joined me on the white highway, the faithful

Toby a short pace behind her. His not to reason why. A good fellow,

Toby.

It was rather a nervous moment. But, in spite of an approaching

wagonette, she walked bravely beside me with the puppet-box under her

arm. The occupants of the vehicle began to evince great curiosity as

we drew nearer, but their mare caught sight of my nose at the critical

moment and provided an opportune diversion.

"So perish all our enemies!" she said with a sigh of relief.

"Stage-fright, Judy, dear. You'll be all right in a minute. We're

bound to excite interest. It's what we're for and what we want. I'll

keep it going. Give me your wootler."

She handed me the reed, and I held it ready between my lips.

"Buck up, lass!"

Ten minutes more and we entered the village. The grounds where the

fete was to be holden lay three-quarters of a mile further on. The

ball was opened by two small errand boys, on whose hands, as is usual

with the breed, time was lying heavily. They were engaged in deep

converse as we came up, and it was only when we were close upon them

that they became aware of our presence. For a few seconds they stared

at us, apparently rooted to the spot, and as if they could not believe

their good fortune. Then one broke into an explosive bellow of

delight, while the other ran off squeaking with excitement to find

other devils who should share the treasure-trove. But, unlike his

infamous predecessor, he was not content with seven. When he returned,

it was but as the van of a fast-swelling rabble. His erstwhile

companion, who had been backing steadily in front of me ever since he

left, and had, after a hurried consideration of the respective merits

of the booth and the box under Judy's arm, rejected them both in favour

of my nose, kept his eyes fastened greedily upon that organ with so

desperate an air of concentration that I was quite relieved when he

tripped over a brick and fell on his back in the road.

And all this time our following grew. The news of our advent had

spread like wildfire. Old men and maidens, young men and boys, the

matron and the maid, alike came running. Altogether, Lynn Hammer was

set throbbing with an excitement such as it had not experienced since

the baker's assistant was wrongly arrested for petty larceny in 1904.

Amongst those who walked close about us, candid speculation as to the

probable venue of the performance was rife, while its style, length,

value, etc., were all frankly discussed. Many were the questions

raised, and many the inaccurate explanations accepted as to the reason

of our being; but though my companion came in for some inevitable

discussion, I was relieved to find that my panache and a comic

peculiarity of gait, which I thought it as well from time to time to

affect, proved usefully diverting.

When the crowd had begun to assume considerable proportions, Judy had

slipped her arm in mine, and an answering pressure to my encouraging

squeeze told me that she was trying to buck up as well as she could.

Good little Judy! It was an ordeal for you, but you came through it

with flying colours, though with a flaming cheek.

When we reached the triangular piece of grass that lay in front of the

village inn, I called a halt with such suddenness as to create great

confusion in the swarming ranks that followed in our wake. But while

they sorted themselves, I slipped the booth off my shoulders, gave one

long, echoing call upon the reed, and, striking an attitude, made ready

to address the expectant villagers.

After carefully polishing my nose with a silk handkerchief--an action

which met with instant approval--I selected a fat, red-faced drayman,

thanked him, and said that mine was a Bass, an assertion which found

high favour with the more immediate cronies of the gentleman in

question. Then I got to work.

After dwelling lightly on the renown in which the village of Lynn

Hammer was held throughout the countryside, not to mention a gallant

reference to the wit, beauty, and mirth which was assembled about me, I

plunged into a facetious resume of recent local events. This, of

course, came to me easily enough, but the crowd only saw therein the

lucky ventures of a talkative stranger, and roared with merriment at

each happy allusion. And so I came to the Bananas. Yes, we were for

the fete. There should we be the livelong afternoon, giving free

shows, and only afterwards soliciting contribution from such as could

afford to give in a good cause. God save the King!

Then I called for mine host, and after ordering ginger beer for Judy

and old ale for myself, slapped silver into his hand, and begged as

many as would so honour her to drink the lady's health.

About that there was no difficulty, and when I had despatched the

original boy--who all this while had never wavered in his constancy to

my proboscis--for a small tin pail, I prepared to get my burden once

more upon my back. But this was not to be. Four good fellows insisted

on constituting themselves booth-bearers, and the burly drayman

gallantly relieved my fair companion of the box of puppets.

So we came in state to the grounds where the bazaar was to be held.

The parley with the gatekeeper was of short duration, for the 'workers'

scented money in our admission, and, with an eye to the Bananas' main

chance, made us quickly welcome. On my explaining our intention to put

our efforts at their service, and any increment that might result into

their pockets, their expression of gratitude was quite touching.

The entrance fee deterred some, and their daily occupation more of

those who had formed our kindly escort, from following us into the

fete, but I believe that most of them contrived to return before six

o'clock.

When I think of all that I said and did on that sunny afternoon, I get

hot all over.

I could not go very far wrong during the actual performance, but it was

afterwards, when Judy sat smiling in the mouth of the booth, and I went

forth, pail in hand, seeking whom I might devour.

I drew my arm familiarly through that of a reluctant curate, and walked

him smartly up and down, discussing volubly the merits of my nose in

tones which suggested that I had no roof to my mouth, Did a lady

protest that she had already contributed, I repeated "Oh, madam!"

reproachfully and crescendo till the hush-money was paid, while in

front of those who affected not to see my out-stretched hand, I stood

as if rooted to the spot. I borrowed the vicar's wideawake, ostensibly

for a conjuring trick, and wore it assiduously for the rest of the

afternoon and, on his demurring to such use, I explained, in the voice

of G.P.Huntley, that it went so well with the nose.

In short, I played the mountebank to a degree that astonished myself,

but apparently to some purpose, for the money came in properly.

The performances went with a bang, and when, at the conclusion of the

playlet, I lifted Judy to the rickety shelf, so that her head and

shoulders were framed in the mouth of the booth, it was the signal for

a burst of applause.

On one of these occasions:

"It's not fair that I should take every call," she said, looking down

at my upturned face.

"My dear Judy, I have my reward."

"What?"

"Don't I lift you up every time?"

She laughed pleasedly.

"Gallant Punch, you're easily satisfied."

"Am I, Judy--am I?" I said gently, taking her hand.

"Yes," she said, snatching it away. "You are and will be. Go out and

get the money."

I adjusted my nose thoughtfully. Daphne was, of course, in great

evidence. Anxious to run no unnecessary risk, I avoided her when

possible, and when I did find myself in her proximity, I at once

indulged in some of my more extravagant behaviour.

"Where's your brother?" I heard a worker say.

"Brother!" said Daphne bitterly. "Coward! And I really thought we

should have him this time. Fled to London before we were up this

morning, thank you. From the amount of food he took with him, and the

way he took it, anyone would have thought he was an escaped convict.

Guilty conscience, I suppose. One hears a good deal about record

flights nowadays, but I'd back my miserable brother against any

aviator. My husband's promised to look in about five, if he's back

from Huntercombe. That's something. But they're a wretched lot. Oh,

here's one of the Pierrots!"

I hung the pail on my nose and looked at her.

"As one of the organizers of the fete," she said hastily, "I must thank

you--"

"Nothing doing, madam," said I, in an assumed voice.

"But"

"Free list entirely suspended, madam," and I shook the pail mercilessly.

A small and grinning crowd had begun to collect, so Daphne parted up

with a forced smile, and I went off chuckling to queer the animals'

race.

Our penultimate performance was over, and I was in the midst of my

vagaries again, when I saw Berry. Unanxious to tempt Providence, I

retired precipitately to the shelter of the booth. My companion was

sitting disconsolately upon the box on which she stood to work her

puppets.

"Is it time for the next show?" she said.

"Not for a quarter of an hour."

I sat down at her feet and removed my mask and nose.

"I'm afraid I persuaded your hand last time, Judy."

"You touched it."

"Let me look."

"It doesn't show."

"Let me look."

After examining the knuckles carefully, I turned my attention to the

soft little palm.

"Obstinacy," I said. "Obstinacy is clearly indicated by the dimple

situate below Saturn and to the right of the watering-pot."

She tried to draw it away, but I tightened my hold and proceeded with

my investigation.

"A gentle and confiding nature, characterized by a penchant for

escapade, is denoted by the joy-wheel at the base of Halley's Comet.

And so we come to the life-belt. This--my word, this is all right!

Unrivalled for resistance to damp and wear, will last three to six

times as long as ordinary paint--I mean life--of extraordinary

durability. Now for the heart-line. The expert will here descry a

curious mixture of--"

Further investigation she cut short by so determined an attempt at

withdrawal that I let her hand go.

"Oughtn't we to be beginning again?"

"You're very eager for the last show."

"No, I'm not, but I want to get it over."

"Oh, Judy!"

She laid her hand on my shoulder.

"No, Punch, no, I didn't mean that. It's been--great fun."

"It's sweet of you to say that."

"It's not. Don't you think I've liked it?"

I leaned forward.

"Dear Judy," I said, "very soon it will be over, and we shall go our

several ways once more. And if we don't meet, as the months and years

go by, when other cleverer, better men walk by your side, and glorious

days crowd thick about you, throw a spare thought to the old time when

you were a strolling player, and the poor fool you gave the honour of

your company."

She turned her head away, but she did not speak.

"You'll not forget me, Judy?"

She caught her breath and slipped a hand under her mask for a second.

Then:

"Next show, Punch," she cried. "No, of course, I shan't. You've been

very good to me."

She was on her feet by now and busily arranging the puppets. I

groaned. The next moment she had wound a long call upon the reed,

which put further converse out of the question.

The last performance began. The first quarrel seemed to lack its

wonted bitterness. Punch appeared halfhearted, and Judy was simply

walking through.

I glanced at the girl and stroked her pig-tail--my pig-tail.

"Wootle," I said encouragingly. "Wootle, wootle."

She started at my touch. Then she seemed to remember, and flung

herself into her part with abandon.

When the ghost was on, I had a brilliant idea.

"Leave the hangman out," I whispered, "and put up Judy instead. We'll

have a reconciliation to finish with."

And so to Punch, sobered, shaking, cowering in the corner, with his

little plaster hands before his face, came his poor wife. (Oh, but she

did it well!) Gently, timidly, bravely, she laid a trembling hand upon

his shoulder, and coaxed his hands from before his frightened eyes,

then, backing, stood with outstretched, appealing little arms--a

gesture at once so loving and pathetic that Punch was fain to thrust

his sleeve before his eyes and turn his face in shame to the wall.

Softly went Judy to him again, touched him, and waited. And as he

turned again, to find two little arms stealing about his neck, and a

poor, bare, bruised head upon his chest, he flung his arms about her

with a toot of joy, and clasped her in the accepted fashion. Oh, very

charming.

This was greeted with prolonged applause.

"Hold it," I said. "Hold the picture!"

As she obeyed I slid my left arm about her, ready to lift her up.

Suddenly Punch became limp and lifeless in his wife's embrace, and with

my freed right hand I slipped her mask over her forehead, smiled into

her eyes, and kissed them.

"I promised not to ask again."

"Punch!"

So for a moment we two let the world wag. Then the whole booth fell

heavily over, mouth uppermost, and we within it. It was the final of

the animal race that was responsible for our overthrow. The black pig,

blind with jealous rage and mortification at being beaten on the tape

by a cochin china, had borne violently down upon the booth and upset

it, with wicked grunts of satisfaction.

"Hurt, dear?" said I.

"No."

As she slipped her mask into place, Berry put his head in at the mouth

of the booth. Maskless, noseless, I looked at him. Slowly his

astonished features relaxed in a grin.

"So!" he said softly. "I might have known."