ert, however, was a success: the room was filled, the audience
was appreciative, and lovely little Jack in the character of an invalid
evoked storms of applause. The spirits of the performers were improved
by their success, but as the audience now cleared off rapidly on dinner
intent, there seemed no reason why Geoffrey, Stanor, and Robert Carr
should not follow their example. The suggestion was made, Esmeralda
vouchsafed a gracious permission, and went off herself to parley with
another stall-holder. The three men made for the door, with relief
written on every line of their figures, and the two girls remained on
duty seated on packing-cases.

"At home in the States," remarked Honor severely, "the men would not be
_paid_ to run off home to dine in comfort, leaving the girls alone to
work."

"On sandwiches!" supplemented Pixie sadly, "and stewed tea!" She was
hungry herself, and could have appreciated a well-cooked meal. "I'd
like to know some American men," she opined. "You must be longing to
get back to them, as they are so much more appreciative and polite than
our men over here!"

Honor blushed, and regarded the points of her neat little shoes.

"There are a great many things, Pat-ricia," she said slowly, "that a
girl ought to do if she were logical, and consistent, and acted up to
what she preached. But she isn't, and she don't. I'm not in a mite of
a hurry to get back..."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The hall was packed to overflowing for the evening concert, additional
chairs were placed down the aisles, and even after they were filled, a
number of people had to be content with standing places at the back.
The performers peeping round the corner of the stage felt a mingling of
nervousness and excitement, and vociferously instructed every one else
to pull his or her self together, and do his or her best.

It soon became apparent, however, that the audience was indulgent to the
point of boredom, applauding with consistency each item, good or bad,
and demanding thereto an encore. Esmeralda's entrance brought down the
house, Pixie's Irish ditties evoked shouts of applause, and the part
songs but narrowly escaped being turned into choruses. It was, indeed,
a village audience of the old-fashioned kind, assembled together in
pleasant, friendly spirit, with the object of being amused, and
determined that that object should be fulfilled.

The squire was a fa