‘It’s nothing very wonderful, but Gretta thinks it very funny, because she says the word reminds her of Christy Minstrels.’

‘But tell me, Gabriel,’ said Aunt Kate, with brisk tact. ‘Of course, you’ve seen about the room. Gretta was saying …’

‘O, the room is all right,’ replied Gabriel. ‘I’ve taken one in the Gresham.’

‘To be sure,’ said Aunt Kate, ‘by far the best thing to do. And the children, Gretta, you’re not anxious about them?’

‘O, for one night,’ said Mrs. Conroy. ‘Besides, Bessie will look after them.’

‘To be sure,’ said Aunt Kate again. ‘What a comfort it is to have a girl like that, one you can depend on! There’s that Lily, I’m sure I don’t know what has come over her lately. She’s not the girl she was at all.’

Gabriel was about to ask his aunt some questions on this point, but she broke off suddenly to gaze after her sister, who had wandered down the stairs and was craning her neck over the banisters.

‘Now, I ask you,’ she said almost testily, ‘where is Julia going? Julia! Julia! Where are you going?’

Julia, who had gone half-way down one flight, came back and announced blandly:

‘Here’s Freddy.’

At the same moment a clapping of hands and a final flourish of the pianist told that the waltz had ended. The drawing-room door was opened from within and some couples came out. Aunt Kate drew Gabriel aside hurriedly and whispered into his ear:

‘Slip down, Gabriel, like a good fellow and see if he’s all right, and don’t let him up if he’s screwed. I’m sure he’s screwed. I’m sure he is.’

Gabriel went to the stairs and listened over the banisters. He could hear two persons talking in the pantry. Then he recognized Freddy Malins’s laugh. He went down the stairs noisily.

‘It’s such a relief,’ said Aunt Kate to Mrs. Conroy, ‘that Gabriel is here. I always feel easier in my mind when he’s here.… Julia, there’s Miss Daly and Miss Power will take some refreshment. Thanks for your beautiful waltz, Miss Daly. It made lovely time.’

A tall wizen-faced man, with a stiff grizzled moustache and swarthy skin, who was passing out with his partner, said:

‘And may we have some refreshment, too, Miss Morkan?’

‘Julia,’ said Aunt Kate summarily, ‘and here’s Mr. Browne and Miss Furlong. Take them in, Julia, with Miss Daly and Miss Power.’

‘I’m the man for the ladies,’ said Mr. Browne, pursing his lips until his moustache bristled and smiling in all his wrinkles. ‘You know, Miss Morkan, the reason they are so fond of me is—’

He did not finish his sentence, but, seeing that Aunt Kate was out of earshot, at once led the three young ladies into the back room. The middle of the room was occupied by two square tables placed end to end, and on these Aunt Julia and the caretaker were straightening and smoothing a large cloth. On the sideboard were arrayed dishes and plates, and glasses and bundles of knives and forks and spoons. The top of the closed square piano served also as a sideboard for viands and sweets. At a smaller sideboard in one corner two young men were standing, drinking hopbitters.