one of the
chief pleasures of her slowly returning health.

In a very short time Debby came racing back again, a plate in her hand
with a slice of bread on it. "It's all right," she cried triumphantly,
"it hasn't fell'd, I put my thumb on it so's it shouldn't!"

Mrs. Carlyle smiled to herself. "I hope it was a nice clean thumb," she
said gently. "Another time, dear, it will be better to walk more slowly,
for you should never put your finger on another person's food."

"Oh!" Debby looked disappointed. "But it was such a safe way, mummy, it
never fell'd once. Audrey and Faith were so slow. Faith was dusting a
tray and Audrey was turning out all the drawers looking for a tray-cloth
to put on it, and--and I couldn't wait. I wanted you to hear all about
who we've seen--oh, here they are at last!"

They had evidently been successful in finding a cloth of some kind, for
Audrey came in carrying a neatly laid tray, with a plate of jelly on it,
a spoon, and a table-napkin; while Faith walked behind, her face beaming
with triumph.

"Doesn't that look tempting, mother?"

"Indeed it does! and what a luxury to have the table-napkin remembered.
Is that Audrey's doing?"

"Yes--and oh, Audrey, I've been longing all this time to tell you.
What _do_ you think--we've met some friends of yours. There were
strangers in church--I didn't know them, but father and Debby and Tom
did--at least they recognised them, and after service was over they were
standing about in the churchyard as if they were looking for someone--and
it was you! And who do you think they were?"

Audrey groaned. "What do you mean?" she asked irritably. "Who was me?
and who was looking for what? and how should I know who anyone was if you
don't explain? Can't you tell all about it so that anyone can understand
you?"

Faith put a restraint upon herself and began again. "I mean it was you
that the strangers were looking for. They are called Vivian--they are the
grandchildren of Mr. Vivian at Abbot's Field. You know, mummy," turning
to her mother. "They said they travelled with Audrey the day she came
home. Why didn't you tell us, Audrey?"

"Perhaps Audrey did not know who they were," suggested Mrs. Carlyle
gently, seeing that Audrey looked confused and remained silent.

Audrey grew red and uncomfortable, but made no reply.

"They said they saw daddy and me and Tom on the platform," burst in Debby,
breaking an awkward pause. "They didn't know he