sugar, which he ranged in a neat little row on a plate.

"Seeing that you asked me twice over if I took sugar, and on hearing
that I did not, immediately ladled in the largest pieces you could find,
I conclude that there is something weighing on your mind," he said
markedly. "What is it? Nothing unpleasant, I hope--nothing serious?"

"A bad habit of thinking of several things at the same time, coupled
with the fatigues of a London season. That is the explanation!" sighed
Peggy, patting the discarded lumps into a pulp with her spoon, and
moulding them into pyramid shape with as earnest an air as if her life
depended on the operation. "We have been terribly energetic--flying
about all day long and living in a perfect whirl of excitement."

"And yet I never meet you. I look out for you every day, but in vain.
We never seem to go to the same places."

"Ah, you are among the rank and fashion, you see, and we are country
cousins doing the sights. You visit the real people, and we stare at
the images at Madame Tussaud's. You attend private views, and we go in
with the rabble. You go to luncheon parties at The Star and Garter, and
we have buns and tea in an ABC shop, and pay an extra penny for cream.
We move in different circles, Major Darcy," cried Peggy, with a toss of
the head which contradicted the humility of her words. "It is not to be
expected that we should meet. To-morrow morning we are going to the
Zoo."

The big officer looked down at her with admiring eyes, paused just long
enough to give added effect to his words, and then said deliberately:

"May I go with you?"

"Certainly not!" replied Peggy promptly; and when Hector demanded her
reason, "You would be too great a strain upon us," she explained. "We
should have to behave properly if you were there, and that would spoil
the fun. You would be shocked at our behaviour, or if you were not
shocked, you would be bored, and that would be even more disastrous."

"Try me and see. There is no fear of my being bored, and I promise
faithfully to be so far from shocked that I will do every single thing
that you do yourself."

"Go round with the crowd and see the animals feed?"

"Certainly, if you wish it."

"Give biscuits to the elephants?"

"With pleasure! I'd do anything for an elephant. Finest beast you can
find."

"And nuts to the monkeys?"

"Er--is that a necessary condition? I really cannot face the monkey-
house in this weather."

"