ing Cinders.
He is like satin."

"If we don't start we shall never get there," observed Mordaunt.

"What an obvious remark!" laughed Chris. "Let's start at once. I hope you
are going to scorch. Wouldn't it be funny if the motor broke down and we
had to spend the night under a hedge? We should enjoy that, shouldn't we,
Cinders? We would pretend we were gipsies or organ-grinders. Oh, Trevor,
it is a sweet motor! Do let me drive!"

"While I sit behind with Cinders?" he said. "Thanks very much, but I'd
rather not. Do you think we want Cinders, by the way?"

She opened her eyes wide in astonishment. Her motor-bonnet gave her a
very babyish appearance. She hugged her favourite to her as she might
have hugged a doll.

"Of course we want Cinders! Why, he has been looking forward to it for
ever so long. Kellerton is home to him, you know."

"Oh, very well! Jump in," said Mordaunt, with resignation. "Are you going
to sit beside me?"

"Of course we are. We can see better in front. Oh, Trevor, I am horrid. I
quite forgot to thank you for that lovely, lovely ring. I'm wearing it
round my neck, because I had to wash Cinders this morning, and I was
afraid of hurting it. I've never worn a ring before. And it was so dear
of you to remember that I liked turquoise and pearl. I was furious with
Aunt Philippa because--" She broke off abruptly.

Mordaunt was starting the motor, but as they skimmed smoothly away he
spoke. "Aunt Philippa thought it ought to have been diamonds, I suppose?"

"Well, yes," Chris admitted, turning very red. "But I--I didn't agree
with her. Diamonds are not to be compared with pearls."

"You are not old enough for diamonds, dear," he said. "I will give you
diamonds later."

"Oh, but I don't want any." Shyly her hand pressed his knee. "Please
don't give me too much, Trevor," she said. "I shall never dare to ask for
the things I really want if you do. Aunt Philippa thinks I'm getting
horribly spoilt as it is."

"I don't," he said.

"How nice of you, Trevor! Do you know I'm so happy to-day, I want to
sing."

"You may sing to your heart's content when we get out into the country,"
he said.

She laughed. "No, no! Cinders would howl. How cleverly you drive! You
will teach me some day, won't you? Do you know, I dreamt I was driving
your organ-grinder last night. Do tell me about him. Is he really a
friend of yours?"

"Yes, really, Chris."

"How exciting!" said Chris, keenly interested. "And what are