d that I was used to it of
old."

"Yes, it's just the same. It is an untidiness of years, and it is
hopeless to cope with it. What _have_ you got there?"

He turned the book round to acquaint himself.

"Ollendorf's 'Elementary German Grammar,'" he said with a smile;
"it's an interesting work."

She made a little _moue_ expressive of disapproval.

"Ah, how nice it is to have done with all that, Philip! You can't
believe how glad I am to be 'finished'; yes, I am finished now. I
don't even have masters, and Miss Murison has gone away to Brighton
and opened a school for young gentlemen. Poor little wretches! how
sorry I am for them! Do you remember Miss Murison, Philip?"

She had sunk down into an arm-chair, and Rainham stood, his stooping
shoulders propped against the mantelpiece, smiling down at her.

"Yes, I remember Miss Murison; and so you are glad her reign has
come to an end, Eve? Well, I suppose it is natural."

She nodded her pretty head.

"Just a little, Philip. But how tired you look! Will you have some
tea? I suppose you have just come from Blackpool?"

His face darkened suddenly, and the smile for a moment died away.

"No," he said shortly, "I have been in the Park."

"Well," she remarked after a moment, "you must have some tea,
anyhow. Of course you will wait and see mamma; she has gone to the
Dollonds' 'at home,' you know. I an all alone. If you like, we will
have it in here, as we did in the old days--a regular schoolroom
tea."

"It will be charming," said Rainham, seating himself; "it will only
want the Murison to complete the illusion."

"Oh, it will do just as well without her," said Eve, laughing; "ring
the bell, please."

Rainham sat back watching her with far-away eyes, as she moved
lightly about, giving her orders with a childish imperiousness, and
setting out the little tea-table between them.

"It is delightful," he said again, when they were once more alone
and he had accepted a well-creamed cup and a waferlike _tartine_; "and
I feel as if I had turned back several years. But how is it,
by-the-bye, that you have not gone to the Dollonds'?"

She laughed up at him merrily.

"Because I have had much more important things to do. I have been
with my dressmaker. I am going to a dance to-night, and I have had a
great deal of bother over my new frock. But it is all right now, and
I shall wear it to-night; and it is perfectly sweet. Oh, you have
never seen me at a party yet, Philip."