rden
visits.

As for the Squire, he kept on saying nothing.

Our tour ended at the gate, and when we said our final good-byes,
General Underwood explained he was not up to calling, as he was often
unable to go out, but that at any time, if we could spare half an hour
to visit _him_, it would be doing a kindness to a lonely old man. "And
will you allow me to wish you much happiness and prosperity in your
beautiful home?"

Charmion thanked him with serene unconsciousness, and the Squire and I
stared elaborately into space, so elaborately that on parting we made
two separate dives before we succeeded in finding each other's hands.
Then the valet came forward, and the little procession turned out of the
gate.

"Charmion," I said solemnly, "I feel a worm. That dear, heroic old man!
I wish we had let him have `Pastimes' ten times over."

"Mistaken heroism, my dear. He can be still more heroic at `Uplands'."

"Er--what do you think of--the other one?"

"Er--honestly, Evelyn, I don't think of him at all!"

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mrs Maplestone has called, and the three or four other county magnates,
none of them particularly interesting from our point of view. We are
now formally and definitely "received," and the first result has been a
violent increase of intimacy on the part of the Vicar's wife. I think
she has always "hankered" to know us, but not having enough
individuality to act for herself, she has waited for a lead before
taking the plunge.

Now it appears that she is organising a garden fete and wants us to
help. It is her own idea, and she says it is for the organ fund. I
don't want to be uncharitable, but I think it is equally designed for
the amusement and diversion of Delphine Merrivale! I am uneasy about
that girl. Nature never designed her for a clergyman's wife; she is
restless and bored, while that dear, good, fine man, who loves her so
much, is as blind as a bat, and believes that all is well. To-day she
sent for me to come to tea, and he came into the room while she was
volubly discussing various plans, which struck me as likely to cost more
money than they were ever likely to gain. When he appeared she gave a
little shrug of impatience, and for a few moments lapsed into silence,
but her self-control being soon exhausted, she took up her tale and
babbled on as enthusiastically as before.

It appears that every summer a "Sale" is held