ime, have we, Cherry Ripe!" The
elder girl spoke gaily. "And now we'll see what Mother has to say--oh!"

At that moment she beheld the car, which was coming to a standstill, and
she looked at the man who drove it with a frankness which was curiously
unselfconscious. At the same minute Mrs. Carstairs came slowly forward
onto the steps, and Anstice, dismounting, approached her without doing
more than glance at the girl-motorist.

"Good morning, Mrs. Carstairs. I have come to thank you for your lovely
flowers." They shook hands as he spoke. "The Matron at the Home made me
promise to come and convey her thanks to you at the first possible
moment. That's my excuse for calling now!"

He had spoken more impulsively than usual, with a genuine desire to show
his gratitude for her kindness; but there was no answering warmth in her
voice, and, not for the first time, he felt chilled by her lack of
response.

"I'm glad they liked them." Her tone was perfunctory. "But I'm afraid
the gratitude is not due to me. It was my small daughter who was fired
to enthusiasm by something Tochatti told her, and insisted on cutting
the daffodils herself."

"I see." In spite of himself Anstice felt repulsed by her manner, which,
made his warmly spoken gratitude appear superfluous. "Well, in any case
the result is the same--delight in the wards and something beautiful and
fragrant to lighten the children's sufferings."

"Pray tell Cherry--she will be pleased." Possibly Mrs. Carstairs had
noted the stiffness of his speech, and in her languid way desired to
soothe his feelings. "I forget if you have seen my little daughter. I
must introduce you to her--and----" she turned to the young girl who
stood by and laid a hand on her arm--"to her friend--and mine."

Anstice glanced towards the two who still stood, hand-in-hand, on the
top step, and Mrs. Carstairs performed the ceremony of introduction in
the deep, rich voice which was somehow part of her personality.

"Iris, let me introduce Dr. Anstice ... Miss Wayne."

Anstice bowed, but the girl held out her hand with a youthful
friendliness which was attractive.

"How d'you do? I'm glad I didn't know your car was behind me as we came
up the avenue. I don't mind what I meet, but I always hate things coming
up behind my cycle," she said pleasantly.

"If you are in the habit of giving such youthful passengers rides I
don't wonder you're nervous," he replied; and the girl opened her grey
eyes wide