Gowing explains his conduct. Lupin takes us for a drive, which wedon't enjoy. Lupin introduces us to Mr. Murray Posh.

　　February 8. - It does seem hard I cannot get good sausages forbreakfast. They are either full of bread or spice, or are as red as beef.

　　Still anxious about the 20 pounds I invested last week by Lupin's advice.

　　However, Cummings has done the same.

　　February 9. -Exactly a fortnight has passed, and I have neither seennor heard from Gowing respecting his extraordinary conduct in asking usround to his house, and then being out. In the evening Carrie wasengaged marking a half-dozen new collars I had purchased. I'll backCarrie's marking against anybody's. While I was drying them at the fire,and Carrie was rebuking me for scorching them, Cummings came in.

　　He seemed quite well again, and chaffed us about marking the collars.

　　I asked him if he had heard from Gowing, and he replied that he had not.

　　I said I should not have believed that Gowing could have acted in such anungentlemanly manner. Cummings said: "You are mild in yourdescription of him; I think he has acted like a cad."The words were scarcely out of his mouth when the door opened, andGowing, putting in his head, said: "May I come in?" I said:

　　"Certainly." Carrie said very pointedly: "Well, you ARE a stranger."Gowing said: "Yes, I've been on and off to Croydon during the lastfortnight." I could see Cummings was boiling over, and eventually hetackled Gowing very strongly respecting his conduct last Saturday week.

　　Gowing appeared surprised, and said: "Why, I posted a letter to you in themorning announcing that the party was 'off, very much off.'" I said: "Inever got it." Gowing, turning to Carrie, said: "I suppose letterssometimes MISCARRY, don't they, MRS. Carrie?" Cummings sharplysaid: "This is not a time for joking. I had no notice of the party beingput off." Gowing replied: "I told Pooter in my note to tell you, as I wasin a hurry. However, I'll inquire at the post-office, and we must meet again at my place." I added that I hoped he would be present at the nextmeeting. Carrie roared at this, and even Cummings could not helplaughing.

　　February 10, Sunday. - Contrary to my wishes, Carrie allowed Lupinto persuade her to take her for a drive in the afternoon in his trap. I quitedisapprove of driving on a Sunday, but I did not like to trust Carrie alonewith Lupin, so I offered to go too. Lupin said: "Now, that is nice of you,Guv., but you won't mind sitting on the back-seat of the cart?"Lupin proceeded to put on a bright-blue coat that seemed miles toolarge for him. Carrie said it wanted taking in considerably at the back.

　　Lupin said: "Haven't you seen a box-coat before? You can't drive inanything else."He may wear what he likes in the future, for I shall never drive withhim again. His conduct was shocking. When we passed HighgateArchway, he tried to pass everything and everybody. He shouted torespectable people who were walking quietly in the road to get out of theway; he flicked at the horse of an old man who was riding, causing it torear; and, as I had to ride backwards, I was compelled to face a gang ofroughs in a donkey-cart, whom Lupin had chaffed, and who turned andfollowed us for nearly a mile, bellowing, indulging in coarse j............