He is sensitive, of course, but he's not shy;
he'd enjoy the excitement. And we should be there; he could come to no
harm."

"And the evening performance? Would you propose that he sat up for that
also?"

Joan pressed her lips together in the struggle for patience. Really
Geoffrey was too bad! What did he mean? What did he want? The whole
scheme had been planned to give him pleasure, and here he was, silent,
disapproving, throwing cold water. The effort at restraint made her
voice sound unnatural even in her own ears.

"If we had the tableau in the afternoon, it would hardly do to leave it
out in the evening--the only time when the villagers themselves will be
able to be present."

Before Geoffrey could reply the heel of Pixie's shoe pressed firmly on
his foot beneath the table, and a warning glance silenced his words. A
moment later, when the discussion of pros and cons waxed loud at the far
end of the table, she whispered an explanation--

"Don't object, don't argue. It's to _please you_! You said she had
taken no trouble."

Geoffrey Hilliard's glance of comprehension had in it more of weariness
than elation. Pixie noting the fact, felt a rising of irritation, and
mentally dubbed him ungracious and unreasonable, as Esmeralda had done
before her. Both failed to appreciate the fact that sudden spasms of
energy were by no means an innovation in the family history, and what
the tired man was really longing for was that ordered peace and
tranquillity which form the English idea of home. He made no further
objections, however, and Joan threw herself whole-heartedly into her
preparations, determined on a success which must win approval as by a
_tour de force_.

The three days following were far from peaceful, but if the master of
the house kept aloof from the stir and bustle, his guests threw
themselves into it with every appearance of enjoyment. Strains of music
sounded from the drawing-room and mingled with the tap-tapping of
hammers from an upper room where realistic scenery was being
manufactured under Joan's able supervision. The new system of
thoroughness demanded, moreover, that the stored-up cases should be
opened, and the contents unpacked, dusted, and re-priced, a work in
itself of many hours.

The four guests started thereon with equal vigour, but Honor took an
early opportunity of slipping away. She was tired, she had a headache,
she must finish a book, there were half a dozen stock e