_Harry._ You're sure now, my darling?

_Dolly._ None of any importance.

_Harry._ What do you mean of any importance?

_Dolly._ Well, you must have some bills--they grow up before you know--such as Doctors' bills--you can't settle them all on the spur of the moment, but I've nothing--nothing of importance. So please put in your sovereign for me, Dad, and look pleasant about it.

_Matt._ You declare upon your word of honor that you have broken off your bad habit of running up bills?

_Dolly._ Yes.

_Matt._ Entirely?

_Dolly._ Yes. You said you wouldn't be inquisitive.

_Matt._ Yes, but----

_Pilcher._ Mrs. Telfer has given her word. I think I may claim one victory for free will, [_nodding victoriously at the_ PROFESSOR _who shakes his head_], and one sovereign for the Blanket Club.

_Matt._ Hum! [_Draws a sovereign out of his pocket and very reluctantly drops it into the box, shakes his head at_ DOLLY _who looks a little uncomfortable._] Who volunteers next?

_Renie._ I do. No--I'll wait a little--I want to make sure that I am perfectly honest with myself and with everybody.

_Matt._ That perhaps may need a little consideration, Lucas?

_Lucas._ Oh, let Harry have his doing first!

_Matt._ Now, Harry!

_Harry._ Oh, well, here goes! I'm going to make a clean breast. The fact is I've made a thundering mess of it.

_Matt._ Ah!

_Harry._ I did begin all right except for a little tiff with Dolly--and then I kept on pretty well for some time, and then--well I don't know--I seemed to go all to pieces and--[MATT _rattles the money-box._] However, better luck this year.

_Pilcher._ Shall we say a little more resolution?

_Harry._ Oh, I mean to pull myself together this year.

_Matt._ Perhaps you tried too much reforming, Harry--too many irons in the fire, eh?

_Harry._ Well, it's jolly hard to keep it up. And I'd got pretty slack till you woke us up last night--I say, that was a rouser again.

_Pilcher._ It wasn't a very bad sermon, was it? Well now for the next year shall we make one especial effort in one especial direction--Say----

_Dolly._ Temper, eh, Harry?

_Harry._ Right, old girl! Oh, I mean it.

_Matt._ No victory for free will, and the Blanket Club, this time. Game and game, eh? Now which of you two----

[_Looking at_ RENIE _and_ LUCAS.

_Renie._ I'll be your first victim. [_Coming into the middle of the room, and posing._] It's so strange that what you started as a jest----

_Matt._ Oh no, in deadly earnest I a.s.sure you.

_Renie._ In this life who knows what is jest and what is earnest? The least little innocent thing may turn to a tragedy in a moment----

_Matt._ Surely you haven't had any little tragedies?

_Renie._ No, last year a mere little circ.u.mstance might have turned to a tragedy--honestly I wasn't to blame, but perhaps I was a little careless, and two dear friends came to me with their counsel, and what might have been a tragedy was turned to a comedy, thanks to those two dear friends!

_Prof._ My dear, may I ask "what circ.u.mstance" you are alluding to?

_Matt._ We said we wouldn't be inquisitive----

_Prof._ No, but I cannot recall anything in my wife's life during the last twelve months that even approached a tragedy----

_Renie._ I said the affair was quite unimportant----

_Prof._ Then I wish, my dear, you wouldn't magnify everything, and I wish you would read solid scientific works in place of rubbishy French novels--and above all, take a little more regular exercise!

_Matt._ Perhaps Mrs. Sturgess may consider that little point during the coming year. Meantime, [_To_ RENIE] may we be confident your little tragedy is ended----

_Renie._ Oh yes, quite.

_Matt._ We needn't ask its nature, but you give us your word of honor?

[_Looks at her very searchingly and speaking seriously._]

_Renie._ Yes, my word of honor.

_Matt._ Thank you.

_Pilcher._ Another victory.

_Matt._ [_Looks searchingly at her, drops a sovereign in the box._]

Lucas?

_Lucas._ [_Coming cheerfully forward._] My turn for the thumbscrew!

_Matt._ You seem very cheerful about it.

_Lucas._ Yes, I'm going to make a jolly good show.

_Matt._ What particular bad habit have you conquered during the past year?