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" I come in?" said Cecily, knocking at my study door.

"If you insist," said I.

"I only want to use the telephone," she explained, as if that made it any better.

"You couldn't take it away and use it somewhere else?" I asked.

She was unmoved. "It needn't disturb you," she said. "I'll be as quiet as a mouse."

"Won't that be rather dull for the people at the other end of the line?" I ventured.

"Now, you go on with your writing." she said severely. So I went on.

""

"There's something I want to ask you," said Cecily.

"Ask away," I said brusquely.

"Not you," said Cecily, frowning at me and then smiling at the receiver.

""

"How are you getting on?" I asked Cecily a little peevishly.

"Nicely, thanks," she answered. "And you?"

"Oh, nicely, too," said I, with a sigh.

""

"Are you coming to the end of your friends?" I asked Cecily.

"If I'm not wanted I'll go," said she snappily.

"You're always wanted, of course," I apologised.

"Then I'll stay," said she brightly.

""

"Can we dine with the Monroes on Tuesday?" asked Cecily.

"That depends a good deal on whether they invite us," I answered.

"It's only Jack trying to be funny," Cecily told the receiver.

""

Cecily flapped about with the Directory.

"Trying to find a number that you haven't used already?" I enquired.

""

And that, of course, was the chapter that Cecily suddenly chose to read... nor was it less than an hour before peace was declared again. The terms, however, were not unfavourable. I was partially forgiven, and, what was better still, Cecily wholly departed. I then wrote a revised version of

""

"It shall indeed," say I.

 

(Children in the Midlands give this name to the disc-shaped fruit of Honesty.)

My garden is a beggar's pitch
 * That Heaven throws its coins upon;

And in the Summer I am rich,
 * And in the Winter all is gone;

Yet as the long days hurry by
 * I keep my pitch, content and free,

Where in a sweet profusion lie
 * Fair Marigolds and Honesty:

And oft I turn and count for fun
 * My largess from the night and noon—

The golden tokens of the sun, 
 * The silver pennies of the moon!