to the end of my resources. It's your turn now. The boy worships you."

A wild appeal burned in her eyes and was refracted oddly through her
near-sighted spectacles. I had never seen her betray emotion before
during all the years of our friendship. The look and the tone of her
voice moved me. I expressed my sympathy and my readiness to do anything
in my power to snatch the infatuated boy from the claw and fang of the
syren and hale him to the forgiving feet of Maisie Ellerton. Indeed,
such a chivalrous adventure had vaguely passed through my mind during my
exalted mood at Murglebed-on-Sea. But then I knew little beyond the fact
that Dale was fluttering round an undesirable candle. Till now I had no
idea of the extent to which his wings were singed.

"Hasn't Dale spoken to you about this creature?" his mother asked.

"Young men of good taste keep these things from their elders, my dear
Lady Kynnersley," said I.

"But you knew of it?"

"In a dim sort of way."

"Oh, Simon--"

"The baby boys of Dale's set regard taking out the chorus to supper as
a solemn religious rite. They wouldn't think themselves respectable if
they didn't. I've done it myself--in moderation--when I was very young."

"Men are mysteries," sighed Lady Kynnersley.