really ought not, Miss MacVeigh."

"I love to do things that I ought not to do."

"But you'll tire yourself."

"If you were my Mary," said Mrs. Flippin, severely, "I wouldn't let you
have your way----"

"I love to have my own way, Mrs. Flippin. And--I am not your
Mary"--then fearing that she had hurt the kind heart, she caught Mrs.
Flippin's hand in her own and kissed it,--"but I wish I were. You're
such a lovely mother."

Mrs. Flippin smiled at her. "I'm as near like your mother as a hen is
mother to a bluebird."

Madge, robed in the mauve gown, refused to have her hair touched. "I
like it in braids," and so when George came there she sat in the
sitting-room, all gold and mauve--a charming picture for his sulky eyes.

"Oh," she said, as he came in, in a gray sack suit, with a gray cap in
his hand, "why, you aren't even dressed for dinner!"

"Why should I be?" he demanded. "Kemp has left me."

She had expected something different. "Kemp?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"He didn't give any reason. Just said he was going--and went. He said
he had intended to go before, and had only stayed until Mrs. Waterman
was better. Offered to stay on a little longer if it would embarrass
me any to have him leave. I told him that if he wanted to go, he could
get out now. And he is packing his bags."

"But what will you do without him?"

"I have wired to New York for a Jap."

"Where will Kemp go?"

"To King's Crest. To work for that lame officer--Prime."

"Oh--Major Prime? How did it happen?"

"Heaven only knows. I call it a mean trick."

"Well, of course, Kemp had a right to go if he wanted to. And perhaps
you will like a Jap better. You always said Kemp was too independent."

"He is," shortly, "but I hate to be upset. It seems as if everything
goes wrong these days. What did you want with me, Madge?"

Her eyelashes flickered as she surveyed him. "I wanted to see
you--smile, Georgie."

"You didn't bring me down here to tell me that----" But in spite of
himself the corners of his lips curled. "Oh, what's the answer,
Madge?" he said, and laughed in spite of himself.

"I wanted to talk a little about--your Becky."

His laughter died at once. "Well, I'm not going to talk about her."

"Please--I am dying of curiosity--I hear that she is very--rich,
Georgie."

"Rich?"

"Yes. She has oodles of money----"

"I don't believe it."

"But it is true, Georgie."

"Who told you?"

"Mrs. Flippin."