be serious even on that most solemn of subjects, the
ordering of Martin's food.

"I couldn't possibly think of food beforehand. It's disgusting! If I
knew what was coming to table, I couldn't eat a bite! The cook must do
it. What are cooks for?"

"_Plain_ cooks at under thirty pounds a year don't consider menus within
their province. They stare into space, and twirl their fingers while
_you_ plan. And even then they need directing."

Grizel sighed.

"But I don't _like_ plain cooks! I'll have a fancy one. Forty
pounds,--fifty--whatever she asks, and a kitchen maid to do the work."

"Then," prophesied Katrine gloomily, "Martin will be ruined. She'll fry
up all his royalties."

"I'll tell her she's not to. And besides," Grizel's voice swelled with
importance; she had caught the sneer on Katrine's lips at those first
words, and now she had a really sensible addenda. "_I'll bribe her_!
In reverse ratio. The smaller the bills, the bigger the bribe."

"Then," pursued Katrine relentlessly, "she'll give you bad qualities.
Salt butter; dripping instead of lard; cheap jams; rank tea!"

"Oh, my gracious!" Grizel grimaced again, more violently than before,
but the next moment she smiled triumphant. "I'll buy a vidder! A
gentle, domesticated little vidder who's redooced, and seeks a home.
She shall have two rooms, and kind treatment, and be paid by results.
Good food, small bills,--big salary. Small food, big bills,--out she
goes! Don't tell me I can't! There are _thousands_ of vidders. It
will be a pious deed."

"And what," queried Katrine the practical, "will you do?"

"Interfere, of course! What d'you expect?" Grizel turned her head
toward her _fiance_, who had been a delighted listener to the
discussion. "_And_ make love to Martin. I shan't have time for
anything else."

Katrine left the room, head in air, whereupon Martin made haste to take
his bride in his arms.

"Happy?" she asked softly, tilting her head so as to look into his face.
"Content?"

"Ah, Grizel, not quite... When I have you always... when you are my
wife!"

"No qualms at all--no doubt? Because there's still time... Sure you
realise exactly what you are getting? An expensive wife, impracticable
and lazy. And I'm twenty-eight. I shan't change. And not a bit
clever, except in one way!"

"What way, Grizel?"

"You know--"

"I want to be told!"

The golden eyes grew dark, the pale face glowed. Ah! Grizel's lover