284 ANGEL PAVEMENT

argument. 'You did this-Oh, did IP-Well, you did that/
What she wouldn't have said, her sister'ud said for her.
Her sister had a tongue a yard long, noted for it up m
Saffron Walden. I know that because a man from there
came into this very shop one morning. Well, you can't
have that sort of argument at a free custard and jelly
stall, can you? I had a picture post card from her last
year, from Cromer—all show-off, y'know. No, I'm
better without them. Let's see, Mr. Smeeth, I think
you're married, aren't you? I seem to recollect you're
a family man/'

'That's right," said Mr. Smeeth, feeling very much
at that moment the affectionate father and husband.
-And I like it."

"Oh, it suits some people," said Mr. Benenden judici-
ally. 'They have a knack or an inclination that way.
I'm not laying down any rules about it. But it never
suited me. I like a quiet life of my own, to do what I
like when I like, and have time to think things over.
Good night."

As Mr. Smeeth walked away, he came to the conclu-
sion that he had solved the mystery of the absent tie.
Benenden did not wear a tie just to show his independ-
ence. Mr. Smeeth, however, did not envy him, although
the question of Mrs. Smeeth and the extra money had
yet to be settled. He was glad that he was not going
home for once and would not have to meet his wife until
late that night. He dismissed the problem and asked
himself instead how he should spend the evening. The
first thing to do was to have a meal and as he had once
or twice had a respectable sort of high tea in a place in
Uolborn, he decided to go there again, so turned down
Aldermanbury and Milk Street, caught a bus in Cheap-