a chair by Nan's side.

"Well, Mops!" The big hand descended on the girl's head, and ruffled
the locks which had been so carefully put in order, while she turned up
her face with a beaming smile, for there was a special bond of union
between herself and her father, and they aided and abetted each other in
mischief like a couple of merry children. "Well, Mops, how goes it?
What pranks have you been up to to-day?"

"Oh, father, none at all. I've behaved beautifully--just like a real,
grown-up lady! In the morning I pursued my avocations, and in the
afternoon I went out calling, with light kid gloves and a card-case.
Every one was out but old Mrs Reed, and you would have loved it if you
could have heard us talk! We discussed the weather in all its branches.
Cold--dampy-cold--dry cold; warm--close-warm--breezy warm; hot,
thundery hot, scorching. She told me which of each she liked best, and
which her poor dear mother had liked best; and I lingered on and on,
hoping they would bring in tea, until at last I yawned so much that I
was obliged to come away unfed. Then I had cold tea and scraps in the
schoolroom, and we discussed charitable agencies."

"Oh, Nan, Nan, this will never do! You are getting altogether too
civilised. I shall have no playmate left at this rate," cried her
father, laughing. "Can't you be satisfied with two grown-up daughters,
mother, and leave Mops to me for a few years longer?"

Mrs Rendell tried to look shocked, a task which she found somewhat
difficult when her husband was the offender; but if her eyes betrayed
her, the elevated brows and pursed-up lips made a valiant show of
disapproval.

"At eighteen? She is past eighteen, remember. You don't expect a girl
of eighteen to run about in short skirts, with her hair down her back?"

"She would look much nicer!" sighed Mr Rendell, looking regretfully
first at the long white skirt, and then at the coiled-up tresses. "They
grow up so quickly, Edith; I live in terror of having no children left--
nothing but fashionable young ladies. One must give in to custom to a
certain extent, I suppose, but I warn you frankly that Chrissie shall be
the exception. It would break my heart to see Chrissie properly grown
up. Chrissie shall always wear her hair down her back!"

Christabel screwed up her eyes at him across the fireplace with a smile
of indulgent affection. He was so young, this dear old father! so
ridiculously young, that his vagaries