o and finish those slippers for me.'

He proceeded with his billiards.

'Won't you come, Tom?' she said. 'I went to the bazaar with you, when
you wanted to see Kate Harman.'

'Wanted to see Kate Harman?' he said, contemptuously. 'Couldn't
anybody see Kate Harman who paid half-a-crown at the door?'

'But I took you up and introduced you to her.'

'Introduced me to her! What introduction do you need at a stall at a
bazaar, except to pay a couple of sovereigns for a shilling's worth of
scent? Who told you I wanted to speak to Kate Harman? I'll tell you
what it is, Baby; it's very unladylike to impute motives.'

'I never did anything of the kind,' said his sister, hotly. 'Never.'

She did not quite understand what accusation had been brought against
her; but she did not like the sound of the word 'unladylike.'

'Very well,' said he, laying down his cue, 'since you say I am
incapable of speaking the truth, I suppose I must go and walk up and
down the pier with you. There's one thing sure: I shan't be stared at.'

So he went and got his hat and cane and gloves, and when he had
buttoned himself all over into the smallest possible compass, he called
for his sister, and together they went out into the gusty, clear,
sea-scented morning.

They had the spacious thoroughfare nearly to themselves, though the
pavements were fairly dry now. For the day was wild-looking still, the
occasional gleam of sunlight was spectral and watery, and a black
shadow melting into a soft gray told of showers falling far away at
sea. At a great many drawing-room windows, coffee-room windows, club
windows, were people standing, their hands behind their back,
apparently uncertain whether or not to venture out. And no doubt some
of these, remarking Tom and Madge Beresford pass, must have thought
they formed a very handsome couple--the tall, well-built young fellow
who looked three-and-twenty, though he was not so much, and the pretty
girl of eighteen who also had a good figure and walked well. Their
features were much alike too; most would have guessed them to be
brother and sister.

'I observe,' remarked Mr. Tom, profoundly, as he gazed with admiration
at his own boots, 'that when I come out with you, Baby, I have to do
all the talking. When I go out with Nan, now, she does it all and I am
amused. It isn't that I am selfish; but a girl come to your time of
life--a woman indeed--ought to cultivate the art of amusing people.
There