ng machine. Round swung the pointer,
and stopped at 8 stone 4 lb. Dr. Mary looked at the dial almost
incredulously. She thought there must be something wrong with the
machine.

"Stand off for a minute," she said, "while I examine the weights. I
must have made a mistake."

Honor obeyed, with a very solemn face. She appeared to be taking the
matter with unusual seriousness. Dr. Mary readjusted the lever, and
even oiled the machine; but when Honor stepped on to it again it
registered exactly the same.

"It's most extraordinary!" exclaimed the lady doctor. "For a girl of
your height and slight build I have never known such a record," and she
gazed at Honor's rather slender proportions in amazement.

"I expect it's bones," volunteered Honor. "The Fitzgeralds are a
big-boned family."

"Your bones would have to be of cast iron, to bring you up to eight
stone odd," cried Dr. Mary. "The machine must be at fault. It's absurd,
on the face of it--a small, slim girl like you!"

"Perhaps it's the change of air since I arrived," said Honor
innocently, but at the same time she looked at Madge Summers with a
very mischievous expression on her face.

"She's up to something!" thought Madge, and nudged Ruth, though she
dared not venture to whisper.

"Of course, we eat a great deal over in Ireland," continued Honor.
"There is nothing like potatoes for making one grow. I saw in the
_British Almanac_ that they were twice as nourishing as anything,
except herrings and oatmeal; and we have those too in Kerry."

"I think, in that case, we must try Banting," said Dr. Mary, who must
have caught Honor's glance, for she suddenly took hold of her, and
began feeling her carefully.

"Ah!" she exclaimed; "so these are the extra bones, are they?" and
diving into her patient's pocket, she drew out stone after stone, and
as many more again that had been tucked down in the front of the white
flannel blouse.

The doctor was a good-tempered woman, with a strong sense of humour,
and, instead of scolding, she laughed heartily at having been taken in
by such a trick.

"I've had patients who shammed ill before," she declared, "but never
such a scandalous case of imposition as this."

"Well, the girls told me the weight was to be reckoned by stones," said
Honor, with a twinkle in her eye, "so I thought I'd better come well
provided. I'm not at all sorry to be rid of them, if they're not
wanted."

"Get on to that machine again immediately!" comm