Fortunately for us you are just in time for our third floor council." It had been said of St.George that when he was writing on space and was in need, buildings fell down before him to give him two columns on the first page; but any architectural manoeuvre could not have amazed him as did this.

And too, though there had been occasions when silence or an evasion would have meant bread to him, the temptation to both was never so strong as at that moment.

It cost St.George an effort, which he was afterward glad to remember having made, to turn to Mrs.Manners, who had that air of appointing committees and announcing the programme by which we always recognize a leader, and try to explain.
"I am afraid," St.George said as they reached the stairs, "that you have mistaken me, Mrs.Manners.I am not--" "Pray, pray do not mention it," cried Mrs.Manners, shaking her little lamp-shade of a hat at him, "we make every allowance, and I am sure that none will be necessary." "But I am with the _Evening Sentinel_," St.George persisted, "I am afraid that--" "As if one's profession made any difference!" cried Mrs.Manners warmly.

"No, indeed, I perfectly understand.

We all understand," she assured him, going over some papers in one hand and preparing to mount the stairs.