" Esther good humouredly reached for a table-mat, for the polish of this particular article of furniture was the pride of Aunt Amy's life.

At dinner in his rooms small pieces of cardboard took the place of table-mats; they answered the purpose perfectly well, he said, and to buy anything else would be a mere waste of money.

Harry and Josette played their parts, under our direction, in preparing the simple meal, and we soon seated ourselves, each with cup and knife, around the table-mat.