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It's getting on towards twenty minutes to three." The address thus pointed out was at no great distance, on the northern side of the Regent's Park. Amelius, still silent and thoughtful, acted willingly as a guide. "Please thank the Council for their kindness to me," he said, when they reached their destination. Brother Bawkwell looked at friend Amelius with a calm inquiring eye.
"I have to request your attention to certain proceedings of the Council at Tadmor, bearing date the third of December last; and referring to a person under sentence of temporary separation from the Community, along with yourself " "Mellicent!" Amelius exclaimed. "We have no time for interruptions," Brother Bawkwell remarked.
"I would gladly go back to Tadmor this very day, but for one consideration " He hesitated; the image of Sally was before him. The tears rose in his eyes; he said no more. Brother Bawkwell, driven hard by time, got on his legs, and handed to Amelius the second of the two papers which he had taken out of his pocket-book.
His head drooped while he spoke; he fell into thought as if he had been alone in the room. But the emissary from Tadmor, warned by the minute-hand on the watch, recalled his attention to passing events. "You would do me a kindness," said Brother Bawkwell, producing a list of names and addresses, "if you could put me in the way of finding the person named, eighth from the top.
"Ah, the dear old Elder Brother," cried Amelius "always on the side of mercy!" Brother Bawkwell held up his hand in protest. "You seem to have no idea," he said, "of the value of time. Do be quiet!
Once more I say it you will find me the first to welcome you, when your spirits are sinking under the burden of life, and your heart turns again to the friends of your early days. Until that time comes, think of me now and then. Good-bye." "I am waiting," said Brother Bawkwell, taking his hat in his hand. Amelius answered with an effort. "Thank her kindly in my name," he said: "that is all."
Amelius looked at the card; and ran into the hall to receive the visitor, with both hands held out in hearty welcome. "Oh, I am so glad to see you!" he cried. "Come in, and tell me all about Tadmor!" Brother Bawkwell acknowledged the enthusiastic reception offered to him by a stare of grim surprise.
Even this frozen old Socialist now appeared to him, for the first time, under the borrowed aspect of a welcome friend. Brother Bawkwell took the chair offered to him, and opened the proceedings, in solemn silence, by looking at his watch. "Twenty-five minutes past two," he said to himself and put the watch back again. "Are you pressed for time?" Amelius asked.
"Much may be done in ten minutes," Brother Bawkwell answered, in a Scotch accent which had survived the test of half a lifetime in America. "I would have you know I am in England on a mission from the Community, with a list of twenty-seven persons in all, whom I am appointed to confer with on matters of varying importance. Yours, friend Amelius, is a matter of minor importance.
If I tell Miss Sally this, sir, how do you say it will end? Will you bet me a shilling it has no effect on her?" "I won't bet a farthing! Follow the boy and tell young Sally I have sent her a better doctor than I am." While Toff was on his way to Sally, Toff's boy was disturbing Amelius by the announcement of a visitor. The card sent in bore this inscription: "Brother Bawkwell, from Tadmor."
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