o be ashamed of his own passing
weakness as he watched her. She was all in brown with strange
beautiful gold work shining here and there. She had flung back her
furs and there was a big bunch of violets in her dress. He watched her
little white fingers unfasten them as she talked.

"If they would not think they were amusing themselves, I could endure
it," she said, "but they solemnly pretend it's amusement and frivolous
at that. One old lady told me gravely, she hardly thought it seemly
that the Dean should so lend himself to the pleasures of the world.
There, the violets are not spoilt at all. The Dean gave them to me:
it's the one thing he can do--grow violets. You shall have them all to
yourself." She fetched a silver cup and began arranging them. Aymer
ceased to be tired, ceased to be anything but supremely content as his
eyes followed her. She went on relating her experience until she had
made him laugh, and then she came and sat on a little stool near him.

"May I have the babies down?"

Aymer pretended to grumble.

"You'll go to them if I say no," he complained, "so I have no
option."

The bell was rung and the babies ordered to descend.

"Before they come, Caesar, I'm going to ask you a favour," she said
coaxingly, "now you are in a good temper again."

"Was I in a bad one?"

"Dreadful. It mustn't reoccur. It is such a bad example for the
children."

"The favour, please; bother the children."

"Caesar, I'm ashamed of you. Bless them, you meant to say. Well, the
favour. Aymer, I am going to start a creche in Winchester near the big
clothing factory. I've talked to the Bishop and he quite approves. I
know just the house, but I shall have to buy it, and I haven't enough
money for that. I can run it easily if I can only get the premises.
What will you subscribe?"

"I haven't any money at all," he replied gravely. "Vespasian takes it
all and I don't think he'd approve of creches, not being a family
man."

"Vespasian, indeed." She tilted her chin in the air as Aymer meant her
to do, a trifle too much, and the effect was spoilt, but he was well
practised in obtaining the exact tilt he admired.

"You can ask him, of course."

"Very likely I will: in the meantime what will you give me?"

"Half a crown. No; five whole shillings, if I have it," he said
teasingly.

She considered the matter gravely. "I am not quite sure. I should not
like to inconvenience you. Shall we say four and six?"

"No, I will