Mrs. James said:  “I think, Mr. Pooter, you are rather over-stepping—­”

I said:  “Hush, madam.  I am master of this house—­please understand that.”

Mrs. James made an observation which I sincerely hope I was mistaken in.  I was in such a rage I could not quite catch what she said.  But if I thought she said what it sounded like, she should never enter the house again.

CHAPTER XXIII

Lupin leaves us.  We dine at his new apartments, and hear some extraordinary information respecting the wealth of Mr. Murray Posh.  Meet Miss Lilian Posh.  Am sent for by Mr. Hardfur Huttle.  Important.

July 1.—­I find, on looking over my diary, nothing of any consequence has taken place during the last month.  To-day we lose Lupin, who has taken furnished apartments at Bayswater, near his friends, Mr. and Mrs. Murray Posh, at two guineas a week.  I think this is most extravagant of him, as it is half his salary.  Lupin says one never loses by a good address, and, to use his own expression, Brickfield Terrace is a bit “off.”  Whether he means it is “far off” I do not know.  I have long since given up trying to understand his curious expressions.  I said the neighbourhood had always been good enough for his parents.  His reply was:  “It is no question of being good or bad.  There is no money in it, and I am not going to rot away my life in the suburbs.”

We are sorry to lose him, but perhaps he will get on better by himself, and there may be some truth in his remark that an old and a young horse can’t pull together in the same cart.

Gowing called, and said that the house seemed quite peaceful, and like old times.  He liked Master Lupin very well, but he occasionally suffered from what he could not help—­youth.

July 2.—­Cummings called, looked very pale, and said he had been very ill again, and of course not a single friend had been near him.  Carrie said she had never heard of it, whereupon he threw down a copy of the Bicycle News on the table, with the following paragraph:  “We regret to hear that that favourite old roadster, Mr. Cummings (’Long’ Cummings), has met with what might have been a serious accident in Rye Lane.  A mischievous boy threw a stick between the spokes of one of the back wheels, and the machine overturned, bringing our brother tricyclist heavily to the ground.  Fortunately he was more frightened than hurt, but we missed his merry face at the dinner at Chingford, where they turned up in good numbers.  ‘Long’ Cummings’ health was proposed by our popular Vice, Mr. Westropp, the prince of bicyclists, who in his happiest vein said it was a case of ‘Cumming(s) thro’ the Rye, but fortunately there was more wheel than woe,’ a joke which created roars of laughter.”

We all said we were very sorry, and pressed Cummings to stay to supper.  Cummings said it was like old times being without Lupin, and he was much better away.