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those who enjoy his close acquaintance that if there is one quality more than another that distinguishes him, it is his ability to keep the lip stiff and upper and make the best of things. Though crushed to earth, as the expression is, he rises again – not absolutely in mid-season form, perhaps, but perkier than you would expect and with an eye alert for silver linings.
    Waking next morning to another day and thumbing the bell for the cup of tea, I found myself, though still viewing the future with concern, considerably less down among the wines and spirits than I had been yestreen. The flesh continued to creep briskly at the thought of entering the zone of influence of Uncle Percy and loved ones, but I was able to discern one reasonably brightish spot in the set-up.
    ‘You did say, Jeeves,’ I said, touching on this as he entered with the steaming Bohea, ‘that Aunt Agatha would not be at Steeple Bumpleigh to greet me on my arrival?’
    ‘Yes, sir. Her ladyship expects to be absent for some little time.’
    ‘If she’s going to remain with young Thos till they’ve demumped him, it may well be that she will be away during the whole of my sojourn.’
    ‘Quite conceivably, sir.’
    ‘That is a substantial bit of goose.’
    ‘Yes, sir. And I am happy to be able to indicate another. In the course of her visit yesterday, Miss Hopwood mentioned a fancy dress ball which, it appears, is to take place at East Wibley, the market town adjacent to Steeple Bumpleigh. You will enjoy that, sir.’
    ‘I shall, indeed,’ I assented, for as a dancer I out-Fred the nimblest Astaire, and fancy dress binges have always been my dish. ‘When does it come to a head?’
    ‘To-morrow night, I understand, sir.’
    ‘Well, I must say this has brightened the horizon considerably. When I have breakfasted, I will go out and buy a costume. Sindbad the Sailor, don’t you think?’
    ‘That should prove most effective, sir.’
    ‘Not forgetting the ginger whiskers that go with it.’
    ‘Precisely, sir. They are of the essence.’
    ‘If you’ve finished the packing, you can cram it into the small suitcase.’
    ‘Very good, sir.’
    ‘We’ll drive down, of course.’
    ‘Possibly it would be best, sir, if I were to make the journey by train.’
    A bit haughty, this exclusiveness, is it not, Jeeves?’
    ‘I should have mentioned, sir, that Miss Hopwood rang up, hoping that you would be able to accommodate her in your car. Assuming that I should be falling in with your wishes in doing so, I took the responsibility of replying that you would be quite agreeable.’
    ‘I see. Yes, that’s all right.’
    ‘Her ladyship has also telephoned.’
    ‘Aunt Agatha?’
    ‘Yes, sir.’
    ‘No rot, I trust, about having changed her mind and decided not to rally round young Thos?’
    ‘Oh, no, sir. It was merely to leave a message, saying that she wishes you to call in at Aspinall’s in Bond Street before you leave, and secure a brooch which she purchased there yesterday.’
    ‘She does, does she? Why me?’ I asked, speaking with a touch of acerbity, for I rather resented this seeming inability on the relative’s part to distinguish between a nephew and a district messenger boy.
    ‘I understand that the trinket is a present for Lady Florence, sir, who is celebrating her birthday to-day. Her ladyship wishes you to convey it to its destination personally, realizing that, should she entrust it to the ordinary channels, the gift will be delayed in its arrival beyond the essential date.’
    ‘You mean, if she posts it, it won’t get there in time?’
    ‘Precisely, sir.’
    ‘I see. Yes, there’s something in that.’
    ‘Her ladyship appeared a little dubious as to your ability to carry through the commission without mishap—’
    ‘Ho!’
    ‘– but I assured her that it was well within your scope.’
    ‘I should think so,’ I said, piqued. I balanced a thoughtful lump of sugar on the teaspoon. ‘So it’s Lady Florence’s birthday, is