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tapping the side of his nose. “Let it be a surprise.
    “Afterward,” he said, “we must strike while the iron’s hot and look to the future. What would you say to a world tour?”
    “I wouldn’t mind visiting the Home for Retired Bears in Lima,” said Paddington. “It would be a nice surprise for Aunt Lucy.”
    “I don’t normally do retirement homes,” said the man. “More often than not the audience is fast asleep by the end of the program.”
    “I’m sure Aunt Lucy would poke them with her knitting needle if they were,” said Paddington loyally.
    “Mmm, yes.” The man eyed him doubtfully. “We shall have to see. First things first. We need to think about your entrance on the night. It’s a pity you can’t come up through the floor, like cinemaorgans used to in the old days.”
    “I expect I could borrow Mr. Brown’s saw,” said Paddington eagerly.
    “I must say, you’re not short of ideas,” said the man admiringly. “We shall make a very good team. Now that I am your manager, I can see it all.”
    “You are?” exclaimed Paddington, looking most surprised.
    “Remember,” said the man, holding the piece of paper aloft. “You signed along the dotted line. It’s all down here in black and white.
    “Do you happen to know Purcell’s Passing By ?” he continued before Paddington had a chance to reply.
    “Is he really?” said Paddington, looking around. “I didn’t see him.”
    “He is a famous composer,” said the man. “And that’s the name of a song he wrote. I thought I might include it in your program.”
    “I’ll ask Mr. Gruber,” said Paddington. “He’s bound to know.”
    “I would rather you didn’t,” said the man. “In fact, I would much rather you didn’t tell anyone.”

    He tapped the side of his nose again. “Mum’s the word.”
    “How about Mrs. Bird?” asked Paddington. “She’s not a mum, and she knows everything.”
    “Especially Mrs. Bird by the sound of it,” said the man. “Remember, walls have ears, and whatever else happens, we must keep it a secret until after theconcert. Listen carefully and I will give you your instructions for the night.”
     
    “Wonders will never cease,” said Mrs. Bird two mornings later. “Paddington’s had a bath without being asked. He also wanted to know if I could get some stains off his duffle coat. He had a marmalade chunk stuck to one of the toggles.”
    “Oh, dear,” said Mrs. Brown. “That is a bit worrying.”
    Having a bear about the house was a heavy responsibility, and there were times when it was hard to picture what was going on in Paddington’s mind.
    “He’s been acting strangely these last two days,” she said. “Ever since he got back from the market. He was going around peering at the walls this morning, and when I asked him if anything was the matter, all he said was ‘Mum’s the word.’ Then he began tapping the side of his nose.”
    “I shouldn’t worry too much,” said Mrs. Bird. “There are no flies on that bear.”
    “I suppose that’s why,” said Mrs. Brown vaguely.
    “I only hope he enjoys the concert tonight,” said the Browns’ housekeeper.
    “Paddington enjoys anything new,” said Mrs. Brown, trying to keep a brave face.
    “That’s one of the nice things about him. Henry thought it would be a treat.”
    It crossed Mrs. Bird’s mind that since Mr. Brown went off to work every morning, he didn’t have to face the consequences, but wisely she kept her thoughts to herself.
    “We shall have to wait and see,” she said.
    In the event, however, even Mrs. Bird could hardly fault Paddington’s behavior during the first half of the evening’s performance. He even insisted on being at the end of the row when they took their seats.
    “I expect he wants to be near the ice creams,” whispered Jonathan.
    Much to the Browns’ relief, it didn’t look as if the show involved any audience participation. It only needed a mind reader to ask for volunteers to go up