have no wish to force your own
friends upon you. You don't want Grizel. Very well! There is no more
to be said. I'll have some more coffee. It's particularly good this
morning. This new woman of yours makes it better than the last. What
are you going to be about to-day?"

"Oh nothing! The usual thing. Pottering around."

As Katrine filled up the cup she reflected that it would be easier to
deal with Martin if he would let himself go occasionally, and say what
he meant. These self-contained people made one feel such a brute, and
exacted so heavy a penitence for a slight offence! She ought not to
have made that remark about "your house," it had been intended to annoy,
and it _had_ annoyed. The vigorous snap of those strong fingers had not
passed unnoticed, but Martin had controlled himself, and poured coals of
fire on her head; she had been not only forgiven, but besought to take
her own way, had received into the bargain a sop to her housekeeping
pride. A right down good scolding would have been less difficult to
bear!

"Oh, the coffee! It's not the making. I paid sixpence more. The
grocer's bill will be bigger than ever this week," she declared
perversely. To herself she was saying irritably: "I will _not_ be
stroked down! Why should Grizel come? It wouldn't be half so much fun.
I should be obliged to stay with her, and introduce her to every one
who came up, and come home when _she_ liked.--I go out so seldom that on
a special occasion like this, I want to consider _myself_! She'll never
expect--"

"Your other letter is from the faithful Dorothy, I suppose?"

"Yes." Katrine's hand instinctively covered the grey envelope, her
glance softening to a smile. "She never misses. It is not once in a
year that I have a blank mail."

"What on earth does she find to say?" Martin Beverley's voice betrayed
a decided impatience. Now that the subject was impersonal he had
evidently relaxed his guard. "You must have heard all there is to hear
about her surroundings, years ago, and there can be precious few
happenings in life out there. Of course in your case it is different!"

"Life being so thrilling in this giddy vale!" Katrine was rebellious
once more. "Martin never realises _how_ dull it is for me! It's just
because we have both so few outside interests that Doll and I count so
much on our letters. I believe Martin considers that life here is quite
full and satisfying, and has not the _least