NEW YEAR'S EVE Gammon had the strangest sensation.

He felt as though he were acting in a melodrama; he stood in a constrained position, as if the eyes of the house were upon him; he suffered from a sort of stage fright.

Much more of this kind of thing would assuredly unsettle his wits.

To recover tone he helped himself to a stiff glass of whisky.
"That's right," said his host encouragingly.

"Make yourself comfortable.