it she did, for the signal was down when it came into view
a hundred yards away from the station, and as she entered the booking
office she saw the engine of Cecil's train rounding the last bend of
the line, and there were the steps and the subway between her and the
down platform.

If she waited to unfasten Maud's strap, to lift her out, and carry
her down the steps and up the steps, she would miss Cecil. The thought
came to her unbidden as the train thundered in, and hastily pushing
the wheel chair into a corner by the booking office window, she
bade the child look through and see all the lovely big trains, till
Gertrude came back in a minute. Then she flew down the steps
and through the subway and was rushing up the other side when an
unexpected voice arrested her steps.

"Good afternoon, Gertrude. I was just wishing to see you. What are you
in such a flurry for? There is another three minutes before the train
goes!"

"I've to meet someone," explained Gertrude hurriedly, "I'll come and
see you, Mrs. Parsons. I can't stay now."

She ran on, and Mrs. Parsons followed her leisurely. She liked to
know everybody's business and she lived opposite the Stacey's and had
observed that Gertrude had attended every festivity provided by the
American cousin, while her own daughter had been invited only once.
She had also heard that the American was leaving for Switzerland
to-day, and she immediately jumped to the conclusion that Gertrude had
come to see him off. So she strolled along the platform and made her
observations.

No, it was not the American, but it was a young fellow; a tall and
pleasant-looking fellow too. He stood on the platform, one hand on
the open door of the carriage, talking eagerly to Gertrude, and Mrs.
Parsons stationed herself at a moderate distance, partly screened by a
pile of luggage, and waited. She wished the engine would cease blowing
off steam, she could perhaps have caught snatches of that interesting
conversation, for she had wonderful hearing, besides an imagination.

"I was awfully disappointed I could not call and see you all," Cecil
was saying, "I seem to know you all through Charlie and Denys. I hoped
Denys would have come with you, but I suppose she was too busy. I saw
Charlie yesterday and I had heaps of messages for her."

Gertrude coloured, "I'm sorry!" she said, a little nettled that he
should be unsatisfied with her company, "you didn't mention Denys
specially and she is always a