66 SIMPSONS SNIPE 



While this struggle was waging beneath my waist- 

 coat, w^e arrived, and there was nothing for it but to 

 trust to luck and Billy Doyle. 



When we alighted, I asked Simpson into the 

 drawing-room, as his bed-chamber had not yet been 

 allotted to him. My wife was still sulky and did 

 not appear, so I had to discover her whereabouts. 



" Simpson has arrived, my dear." 



" I suppose so," very curtly. 



" He is a very agreeable entertaining fellow." 



" I suppose so," she snapped. 



" Where have you decided on putting him ? " 



" In your dressing-room." 



" My dressing-room ? " 



" Yes, your dressing-room. I wouldn't disturb 

 the children for the Prince of Wales." 



Now this was very shabby of my wife. My 

 dressing-room was my sanctum sanctorum. There 

 were my papers, letters, pipes, boots, knick-knacks, 

 all laid out with a bachelor's care, and each in its 

 own particular place. To erect a bedstead meant an 

 utter disturbance of my effects, which weeks could 

 not repair, especially as regards my papers. I 

 expostulated. 



" There is no use in talking," said my wife ; " the 

 bed is put up." 



Tableau. 



