cally to Mrs. Bonsor's inanities. Suddenly
she realised their import. What had happened? How did she know? Had
Mr. Triggs told her?

"How did you know?" Patricia enquired.

"Haven't you seen _The Morning Post_?" enquired Mrs. Bonsor.

"_The Morning Post_!" repeated Patricia, in consternation; "but--but I
don't understand."

"Then isn't it true?" enquired Mrs. Bonsor, scenting a mystery.

"I--I----" began Patricia, then with inspiration added, "I must be
getting on, I've got a lot to do to make up for yesterday."

"But isn't it true, Miss Brent?" persisted Mrs. Bonsor.

Then from half-way up the stairs Patricia turned and, in a spurt of
mischief, cried, "If you see it in _The Morning Post_ it is so, Mrs.
Bonsor."

When Patricia entered the library Mr. Bonsor was fussing about with
letters and papers, a habit he had when nervous.

"I'm so sorry about yesterday afternoon, Mr. Bonsor," said Patricia;
"but Mrs. Bonsor seemed to wish me to----"

"Not at all, not at all, Miss Brent," said Mr. Bonsor nervously.
"I--I----" then he paused.

"I know what you're going to say, Mr. Bonsor, but please don't say it."

Mr. Bonsor looked at her in surprise. "Not say it?" he said.

"Oh! everybody's congratulating me, and I'm tired. Shall we get on
with the letters?"

Mr. Bonsor was disappointed. He had prepared a dainty little speech of
congratulation, which he had intended to deliver as Patricia entered
the room. Mr. Bonsor was always preparing speeches which he never
delivered. There was not an important matter that had been before the
House since he had represented Little Dollington upon which he had not
prepared a speech. He had criticised every member of the Government
and Opposition. He had prepared party speeches and anti-party
speeches, patriotic speeches and speeches of protest. He had called
upon the House of Commons to save the country, and upon the country to
save the House of Commons. He had woven speeches of splendid optimism
and speeches of gloomy foreboding. He had attacked ministers and
defended ministers, seen himself attacked and had routed his enemies.
He had prepared speeches to be delivered to his servants for domestic
misdemeanour, speeches for Mr. Triggs, even for Mrs. Bonsor.

He had conceived speeches on pigs, speeches on potatoes, speeches on
oil-cake, and speeches on officers' wives; in short, there was nothing
in the world of his thoughts about which he had not prepared a speech