in the vicarage garden to
dispose of the articles manufactured by the "Working Party" throughout
the winter session. They consist of serviceable garments for the poor,
which are eagerly purchased by the members of the Needlework Guild, and
also of a selection of "fancy" articles which nobody wants, such as
brush and comb bags of pink and white crochet, shaving paper cases with
embroidered backs (first catch the man who uses them!) and handkerchief
sachets of white satin, on which are painted (badly) sprays of wild
roses and maidenhair fern!

The parish has always meekly assembled itself together for the fray,
paid threepence for a plain tea, and departed peacefully on its way; but
this year--_this_ year, there is to be a band, and a man to cut out
silhouettes, and ices, and strawberries and cream, and quite a variety
of excitements.

"A treasure hunt for one, at an entrance fee of a shilling a head. The
treasures to be supplied as voluntary offerings by the ladies of the
neighbourhood."

Mrs Merrivale paused and cocked an interrogative eye at me, and her
husband said gently:--

"Dear, aren't you too ambitious? Our ordinary quiet sale has done very
well until now. Why land yourself with a great deal of extra work and
fatigue, to say nothing of expense, for an altogether problematical
result!"

"Oh, Jacky," she cried deeply. "It is not problematical. We shall make
pounds and pounds. I don't mind the work. I like it. Think how lovely
it would be if we could clear off the whole debt!"

He smiled at her with the tenderest appreciation. Oh, if any man looked
at me like that, I would work my fingers to the bone to help him.
Honestly and truly, he believed that she was bracing herself to the fray
out of the purest, most disinterested motives. Never for one moment did
it occur to him that a grown woman could hanker after such ploys for her
own amusement. There is much in his unconsciousness which is beautiful,
but--there is danger, too! Surely, surely when two people live together
in such a terribly close relationship as husband and wife, before all
things it must be necessary to understand!

"Then I leave it to you, dearest," he said. "Arrange as you think best.
And now, if Miss Wastneys will excuse me, I must say good-bye. Poor
Mrs Evans is worse this afternoon. They fear that an operation may be
necessary. She has had terrible pain."

Mrs Merrivale threw out her hand impulsively. I was amazed to s