weakness, Miss Nora," said Jack. "How can we get
you to come?"

"My weakness?" cried the girl eagerly, "you all are, and especially
your dear Sweeper dog there." She put her arms around the neck of the
beautiful setter, who was frantically struggling to get out to her.

"Sweeper, lucky dog, eh, Jack, what?" said Mr. Waring-Gaunt, with a warm
smile of admiration at the wholesome, sun-browned face. "Come along,
Miss Nora--back in a short time, eh, what?"

"Short time?" said Nora. "Not if I go. Not till we can't see the birds."

"Can't you come, Nora?" said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, "I want to talk to you,
and we'll drive to-day and let the men shoot. Where is Kathleen? Is she
busy?"

"Busy? We are all positively overwhelmed with work. But, oh, do go away,
or I shall certainly run from it all."

"I am going in to get your mother to send you both out. Have you had a
gun this fall? I don't believe you have," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt.

"Not once. Yes, once. I had a chance at a hawk that was paying too much
attention to our chickens. No, don't go in, Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, I beg of
you. Well, go, then; I have fallen shamelessly. If you can get Kathleen,
I am on too."

In a few moments Mrs. Waring-Gaunt returned with Kathleen and her
mother. "Your mother says, Nora, that she does not need you a bit, and
she insists on your coming, both of you. So be quick."

"Oh, Mother," cried the girl in great excitement. "You cannot possibly
get along without us. There's the tea for all those men."

"Nonsense, Nora, run along. I can do quite well without you. Larry is
coming in early and he will help. Run along, both of you."

"But there isn't room for us all," said Kathleen.

"Room? Heaps," said Mr. Waring-Gaunt. "Climb in here beside me, Miss
Nora."

"Oh, it will be great," said Nora. "Can you really get along, Mother?"

"Nonsense," said the mother. "You think far too much of yourself. Get
your hat."

"Hat; who wants a hat?" cried the girl, getting in beside Mr.
Waring-Gaunt. "Oh, this is more than I had ever dreamed, and I feel so
wicked!"

"All the better, eh, what?"

"Here, Kathleen," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, "here between us."

"I am so afraid I shall crowd you," said the girl, her face showing a
slight flush.

"Not a bit, my dear; the seat is quite roomy. There, are you
comfortable? All right, Tom. Good-bye, Mrs. Gwynne. So good of you to
let the girls come."

In high spirits they set off, waving their farewell to the mot