that that matters. I couldn't be seen going about
even at the Zoo with a parasol in that condition. I should have to
explain to everybody exactly how it happened, which would take time."

"But of course I'll carry it for you," said Gladys.

Daisy considered this noble offer.

"It's quite too wonderful of you," she said, "but I don't think I could
be seen with you if you were carrying it. No; come to the dogs. Oh,
Gladys, you are sweet and good and gentle quite, quite naturally, and I
adore you."

The dingoes were rewarding, and Daisy instantly curried favour with
their keeper, and learnt about their entrancing habits; afterwards the
two went back to see the lions fed before leaving. The tiger which had
ruined her parasol proved to have the most excellent appetite, which
much relieved Daisy's mind, as she feared that the point, which he
seemed to have completely eaten, might have spoilt his dinner. She
hurried breathlessly down the line as the huge chops of raw meat were
passed in and snatched up by the animals, absorbed and radiant. Gladys,
as always, followed where the other led, but was conscious of qualms.
These she concealed as best she could.

"Oh, I want to say grace for them all," said Daisy at the end. "I _do_
hope they are pleased with their dinners. Are the keepers fair, do you
think? There was a dreadful amount of bone in my parasol-tiger's dinner,
if you understand. Gladys, I don't believe you loved it. How stupid of
you! You don't quite understand; you don't know how nice it is to be
greedy instead of gentle. Do try. Oh, no, let's go out by this gate."

"But we shall have to walk miles before we get a cab," said Gladys.

"I know; that's why. It will make us late for Aunt Alice's tea-party. I
hate tea-parties."

"But mother asked me to be back by five," said Gladys.

"Did she? Did she really?" asked Daisy.

"Indeed she did."

"Oh, well, then of course we'll drive back, though I did want to walk.
But it can't possibly be helped. We must drive. It is such a pity not
to do as you are asked. I always do, except when Willie asks me to
marry him."

They got into their hansom and bowled silently down the dry grey road.
All June was in flower in the pink pyramids of the chestnut-trees, and
was already beginning to bleach the colour out of the long coarse grass
in the open spaces of the Park. There swarms of girls and boys rioted
ecstatically; here the more lucky, in possession of a battered bat and a