centre-table. The carpet was thick, and a spice of adventure was given
it by a number of dyed sheep-skin mats.

"Hello!" said my aunt as I appeared. "It's George!"

"Shall I serve the tea now, Mem?" said the real housemaid, surveying our
greeting coldly.

"Not till Mr. Ponderevo comes, Meggie," said my aunt, and grimaced with
extraordinary swiftness and virulence as the housemaid turned her back.

"Meggie she calls herself," said my aunt as the door closed, and left me
to infer a certain want of sympathy.

"You're looking very jolly, aunt," said I.

"What do you think of all this old Business he's got?" asked my aunt.

"Seems a promising thing," I said.

"I suppose there is a business somewhere?"

"Haven't you seen it?"

"'Fraid I'd say something AT it George, if I did. So he won't let me. It
came on quite suddenly. Brooding he was and writing letters and sizzling
something awful--like a chestnut going to pop. Then he came home one
day saying Tono-Bungay till I thought he was clean off his onion, and
singing--what was it?"