1.

　　The lobby of the Hotel Cosmopolis is the exact center of New York,the spot where at certain hours one is sure of meeting everybody oneknows. The first person that Nelly and Freddie saw, as they passedthrough the swing doors, was Jill. She was seated on the chair by thebig pillar in the middle of the hall.

　　"What ho!" said Freddie. "Waiting for someone?""Hullo, Freddie. Yes, I'm waiting for Wally Mason. I got a note fromhim this morning, asking me to meet him here. I'm a little early. Ihaven't congratulated you yet. You're wonderful!""Thanks, old girl. Our young hero is making pretty hefty strides inhis chosen profesh, what! Mr Rooke, who appears quite simple andunspoiled by success, replied to our representative's enquiry as tohis future plans that he proposed to stagger into the grill-room andimbibe about eighteen dollars' worth of lunch. Yes, it is a bit ofall right, taking it by and large, isn't it? I mean to say, thesalary, the jolly old salary, you know . . . quite a help when afellow's lost all his money!"Jill was surprised to observe that the Last of the Rookes wascontorting his face in an unsightly manner that seemed to be anattempt at a wink, pregnant with hidden meaning. She took her cuedutifully, though without understanding.

　　"Oh, yes," she replied.

　　Freddie seemed grateful. With a cordial "Cheerio!" he led Nelly offto the grill-room.

　　"I didn't know Jill knew Mr Mason," said Nelly, as they sat down attheir table.

　　"No?" said Freddie absently, running an experienced eye over thebill-of-fare. He gave an elaborate order. "What was that? Oh,absolutely! Jill and I and Wally were children together.""How funny you should all be together again like this.""Yes. Oh, good Lord!""What's the matter?""It's nothing. I meant to send a cable to a pal of mine in England.

　　I'll send it after lunch."Freddie took out his handkerchief, and tied a knot in it. He wasslightly ashamed of the necessity of taking such a precaution, but itwas better to be on the safe side. His interview with Jill at thetheatre had left him with the conviction that there was only onething for him to do, and that was to cable poor old Derek to forgetimpending elections and all the rest of it and pop over to America atonce. He knew that he would never have the courage to re-open thematter with Jill himself. As an ambassador he was a spent force. IfJill was to be wooed from her mood of intractability, Derek was theonly man to do it. Freddie was convinced that, seeing him in person,she would melt and fall into his arms. Too dashed absurd, Freddiefelt, two loving hearts being separated like this and all that sortof thing. He replaced his handkerchief in his pocket, relieved, andconcentrated himself on the entertainment of Nelly. A simple task,for, the longer he was with this girl, the easier did it seem to talkto her.