"Let's buy the girls some flowers and take a taxi down.

Go down in style, eh?
I'll pay." Mr.Waddington looked at his companion--watched him, indeed, hail the taxi--and groaned.

A sudden wave of half-ashamed regret swept through him.

It was gone, then, this brief peep into a wonderful world! His own fall was imminent.

The click of the balls was in his ears, the taste of strong drink was inviting him.