“I wonder, where such perfection is possible,” said I, “that they tolerate that.”

“They’re not going to very much longer,” said Adonis, and then he laughed.  “Narcissus queered himself last season at the palace.  Jove sent for him to trim his beard, and he nearly cut one of the old man’s ears off.  Investigation showed that instead of keeping his eye on what he was doing, he was looking at himself in the glass all the time.  Jupiter in his anger hurled a thunderbolt at him, but, fortunately for Narcissus, he hurled it at the mirrored and not at the real Narcissus, and he escaped.  The result is the rumor that he will be made head-waiter in the dining-room instead of valet next season, in which event I shall probably be allowed to remain here all through the year, or else they’ll put Jason on.”

“And which would you prefer?” I asked.

[Illustration:  “Jupiter hurled A thunder-bolt at him”]

“I think I’d rather have Jason put on,” said Adonis.  “While I don’t care much for the climate of Hades, I am received there with much consideration socially, whereas up here I am only the valet.  One doesn’t mind being a nabob once in a while, you know.  Besides—­ah—­don’t say anything about it to anybody up here, but I’m getting a trifle tired of Venus.  She is still beautiful, but you can’t get over the idea that she’s over four thousand years old.  Furthermore, I met a little Fury down below last season who is simply ravishing.”  Here Adonis gave me a wink which made me rather curious to see the little Fury.

“Ah, Adonis, Adonis!” I cried, shaking my finger at him; “still up to your old tricks, are you?”

“Why not?” he demanded.  “My character is formed. Noblesse oblige is a good motto for us all, only when one is born with faiblesse instead of noblesse, it becomes faiblesse oblige.  Furthermore, sir, if I am to have the reputation, I must insist upon the perquisites.”

What I replied to this bit of moralizing I shall not put down here, since I have no wish to commit myself thus publicly.  I will say, however, that I did not blame the youthful-looking person unreservedly.

“Moreover, I have very fine apartments in Hades,” he added, “and I should hate to give them up.  I live at the select home for gods and gentlemen, kept by Madame Persephone.  When she takes an interest in one of her boarders she is a mighty fine landlady, and, like most ladies, if I may say it with all due modesty, she has taken an interest in me.  The result is that I have the best suite in the house, overlooking the Styx, and as fine a table as any one could want.  But I must ask your pardon, sir, for taking up so much of your time with my personal affairs.  We both seem to have forgotten that I am here to wait upon you.”

“It has been very interesting, Adonis,” I said.  “And if it’s anybody’s fault, it is mine.  What I wished of you was that you should get out my breakfast-suit, so that I might dress and go to the dining-room.”