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           Lupinhadwhitenedhisfacelikeaclown,andFrankhadtiedroundhiswaistalargehearthrug.Hewassupposedtobethedonkey,andhelookedit.Theyindulgedinaverynoisypantomime,andwewereallshriekingwithlaughter.

           Iturnedroundsuddenly,andthenIsawMr.Perkuppstandinghalf-wayinthedoor,hehavingarrivedwithoutourknowingit.IbeckonedtoCarrie,andwewentuptohimatonce.Hewouldnotcomerightintotheroom.Iapologisedforthefoolery,butMr.Perkuppsaid:“Oh,itseemsamusing.”Icouldseehewasnotabitamused.

           CarrieandItookhimdownstairs,butthetablewasawreck.Therewasnotaglassofchampagneleft—notevenasandwich.Mr.Perkuppsaidherequirednothing,butwouldlikeaglassofseltzerorsodawater.Thelastsyphonwasempty.Carriesaid:“Wehaveplentyofportwineleft.”Mr.Perkuppsaid,withasmile:“No,thankyou.Ireallyrequirenothing,butIammostpleasedtoseeyouandyourhusbandinyourownhome.Good-night,Mrs.Pooter—youwillexcusemyveryshortstay,Iknow.”Iwentwithhimtohiscarriage,andhesaid:“Don’ttroubletocometotheofficetilltwelvetomorrow.”

           IfeltdespondentasIwentbacktothehouse,andItoldCarrieIthoughtthepartywasafailure.Carriesaiditwasagreatsuccess,andIwasonlytired,andinsistedonmyhavingsomeportmyself.Idranktwoglasses,andfeltmuchbetter,andwewentintothedrawing-room,wheretheyhadcommenceddancing.CarrieandIhadalittledance,whichIsaidremindedmeofolddays