asked Miss Roberts.

'No, miss,' said the butler; and he stared at Jimmy first and then at
the boxes on the cab.

'How extremely annoying!' cried Miss Roberts. 'Can you tell me how long
she will be?'

'I don't think Miss Morton will return before half-past three,' said the
butler, whose name was Jones. 'Miss Morton has gone out to luncheon,
miss.'

'This is her nephew,' answered Miss Roberts.

'Good-morning, sir,' said Jones, rubbing his hands.

'Good-morning,' said Jimmy.

'I have brought him from Miss Lawson's school at Ramsgate,' Miss Roberts
explained, whilst Jimmy stared into the butler's face.

'I don't fancy Miss Morton expected him,' said Jones.

'No,' cried Jimmy, 'she didn't.'

'Miss Lawson is so ill,' Miss Roberts continued, 'that all the boys have
been sent home. I took Master Wilmot to his uncle's house in Brook
Street, but it was shut up. So I have brought him here.'

'I don't know what Miss Morton will say----'

Miss Roberts looked at her watch and interrupted the butler before he
had time to finish his sentence. He spoke rather slowly and required a
long time to say anything.

'I am not going back to Ramsgate,' said Miss Roberts, 'but I have no
doubt Miss Rosina will write to Miss Morton.'

'I beg pardon,' answered Jones, 'but I don't think Miss Morton would
like you to leave the young gentleman here.'

'I--I don't want to be left,' cried Jimmy.

'Miss Morton is not particular fond of young gentlemen,' said the
butler.

'Cabman,' exclaimed Miss Roberts in a greater hurry than ever, 'carry in
the boxes. The two smaller boxes, please.'

Jimmy stood on the doorstep, and Jones stood just inside the hall, and
Miss Roberts held her watch in her right hand, whilst the cabman got off
his seat and took down the trunks.

'Please be quick,' she said, 'or I shall miss my train after all.'

The butler stroked his chin as the cabman carried the clothes-box into
the house and put it down near the dining-room door; then he brought in
the play-box, and after that he wiped his forehead with a large red
handkerchief and climbed up to his seat again.

'Good-bye,' said Miss Roberts, putting away her watch and taking Jimmy's
hand.

'I wish you would take me too,' answered Jimmy rather tearfully.

'I can't do that,' she said, 'and I am sure you will be very happy with
your aunt.'

Jimmy felt quite sure he shouldn't be happy, and he certainly did not
look very happy as Miss Roberts was driven awa