As they sat waiting for dinner, Constance and Mrs. Baines on the sofa, and Samuel on the edge of the nearest rocking-chair, a small scuffling noise was heard outside the door which gave on the kitchen steps, the door yielded to pressure, and Fan rushed importantly in, deranging mats.  Fan’s nose had been hinting to her that she was behind the times, not up-to-date in the affairs of the household, and she had hurried from the kitchen to make inquiries.  It occurred to her en route that she had been washed that morning.  The spectacle of Mrs. Baines stopped her.  She stood, with her legs slightly out-stretched, her nose lifted, her ears raking forward, her bright eyes blinking, and her tail undecided.  “I was sure I’d never smelt anything like that before,” she was saying to herself, as she stared at Mrs. Baines.

And Mrs. Baines, staring at Fan, had a similar though not the same sentiment.  The silence was terrible.  Constance took on the mien of a culprit, and Sam had obviously lost his easy bearing of a man of the world.  Mrs. Baines was merely thunderstruck.

A dog!

Suddenly Fan’s tail began to wag more quickly; and then, having looked in vain for encouragement to her master and mistress, she gave one mighty spring and alighted in Mrs. Baines’s lap.  It was an aim she could not have missed.  Constance emitted an “Oh, fan!” of shocked terror, and Samuel betrayed his nervous tension by an involuntary movement.  But Fan had settled down into that titanic lap as into heaven.  It was a greater flattery than Mr. Povey’s.

“So your name’s Fan!” murmured Mrs. Baines, stroking the animal.  “You are a dear!”

“Yes, isn’t she?” said Constance, with inconceivable rapidity.

The danger was past.  Thus, without any explanation, Fan became an accepted fact.

The next moment Maggie served the Yorkshire pudding.

“Well, Maggie,” said Mrs. Baines.  “So you are going to get married this time?  When is it?”

“Sunday, ma’am.”

“And you leave here on Saturday?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Well, I must have a talk with you before I go.”

During the dinner, not a word as to the signboard!  Several times the conversation curved towards that signboard in the most alarming fashion, but invariably it curved away again, like a train from another train when two trains are simultaneously leaving a station.  Constance had frights, so serious as to destroy her anxiety about the cookery.  In the end she comprehended that her mother had adopted a silently disapproving attitude.  Fan was socially very useful throughout the repast.

After dinner Constance was on pins lest Samuel should light a cigar.  She had not requested him not to do so, for though she was entirely sure of his affection, she had already learned that a husband is possessed by a demon of contrariety which often forces him to violate his higher feelings.  However, Samuel did not light a cigar.  He went off to superintend the shutting-up of the shop, while Mrs. Baines chatted with Maggie and gave her L5 for a wedding present.  Then Mr. Critchlow called to offer his salutations.