'Viscountess Metroland, said Peter. 'What a name! What a man! Still, she's got Alastair all the time. Metroland doesn't mind. He's got what he wanted. I don't see much of them really. What do you do all the time, Paul?

'I'm going to be ordained soon.

'Wish I didn't feel so damned ill. What were we saying? Oh yes, about Metroland. You know, Paul, I think it was a mistake you ever got mixed up with us; don't you? We're different somehow. Don't quite know how. Don't think that's rude, do you, Paul?

'No, I know exactly what you mean. You're dynamic, and I'm static.

'Is that it? Expect you're right. Funny thing you used to teach me once; d'you remember? Llanabba ‑ Latin sentences, Quominus and Quin, and the organ; d'you remember?

'Yes, I remember, said Paul.

'Funny how things happen. You used to teach me the organ; d'you remember?

'Yes, I remember, said Paul.

'And then Margot Metroland wanted to marry you; d'you remember?

'Yes, said Paul.

'And then you went to prison, and Alastair ‑ that's Margot Metroland's young man ‑ and Metroland ‑ that's her husband ‑ got you out; d'you remember?

'Yes, said Paul, 'I remember.

'And here we are talking to one another like this, up here, after all that! Funny, isn't it?

'Yes, it is rather.

'Paul, do you remember a thing you said once at the Ritz ‑ Alastair was there ‑ that's Margot Metroland's young man, you know ‑ d'you remember? I was rather tight then too. You said, "Fortune, a much‑maligned lady." D'you remember that?

'Yes, said Paul, 'I remember.

'Good old Paul! I knew you would. Let's drink to that now; shall we? How did it go? Damn, I've forgotten it. Never mind. I wish I didn't feel so ill.

'You drink too much, Peter.

'Oh, damn, what else is there to do? You going to be a clergyman, Paul?

'Yes.

'Damned funny that. You know you ought never to have got mixed up with me and Metroland. May I have another drink?

'Time you went to bed, Peter, don't you think?

'Yes, I suppose it is. Didn't mind my coming in, did you? After all, you used to teach me the organ; d'you remember? Thanks for the whisky!

So Peter went out, and Paul settled down again in his chair. So the ascetic Ebionites used to turn towards Jerusalem when they prayed. Paul made a note of it. Quite right to suppress them. Then he turned out the light and went into his bedroom to sleep.