242	A MODERN   COMEDY
collecting powers on an object that had no epoch, a process
that did not date.
Personally conducted by Aubrey Greene, the expedition
to view his show at the Dumetrius Gallery left South
Square after an early lunch.
" Your Dryad came to me this morning, Aubrey," said
Michael in the cab. " She wanted me to ask you to put up
a barrage if by any chance her husband blows round to
accuse you of painting his wife. It seems he's seen a
reproduction of the picture."
" Umm ! " murmured the painter :  " Shall I, Flour ? "
" Of course you must, Aubrey ! "
Aubrey Greene's smile slid from her to Michael.
" Well, what's his name ? "
" Bicket."
Aubrey Greene fixed his eyes on space, and murmured
slowly:
" An angry young husband called Bicket
Said : 'Turn yourself round and I'll kick it;
You have painted my wife
In the nude to the life.
Do you think, Mr. Greene, it was cricket ? '"
"Oh!    Aubrey!"
" Chuck it! " said Michael, " I'm serious. She's a most
plucky little creature. She's made the money they wanted,
and remained respectable."
" So far as I'm concerned, certainly."
" Well, I should think so."
" Why, Fleur ? "
" You're not a vamp, Aubrey !''
" As a matter of fact, she excited my aesthetic sense."
" Much that'd save her from some aesthetes ! " muttered
Michael.
" Also, she comes from Putney."