She had quite a triumph the next day, as old friends dropped in for the
chance of seeing her. The least agreeable encounter was that with
Mark, who came in on his way to the office, having just received by the
second post a letter from his father inquiring into Miss Headworth's
state. He met Nuttie in the vestibule, with her hat on, and in a great
hurry, as she wanted to walk with Mary to the School of Art, Gerard
Godfrey accompanying them as far as the office; and she did not at all
like the being called to account, and asked what could have possessed
her to take alarm.

'Why, you wrote yourself!'

'I!'

'To Annaple Ruthven.'

'What am I supposed to have written?'

'That Aunt Ursel was very ill with bronchitis.'

'I'll be bound that Miss Ruthven said no such thing. You don't pretend
that you heard it from herself?'

'No; but Blanche did.'

'Blanche! Oh, that accounts for it! Though I should have thought you
knew Blanche by this time.'

'But what did you say?'

'I believe I said I couldn't get a knitting pattern Miss Headworth was
to send Lady Ronnisglen because she was in bed with a cold. What you
and Blanche could contrive to make of a simple thing like that--'

'And Annaple!'

'Well,' but checking himself with a smile, 'we will not fight about
that. I only hope it has not brought you into an awkward scrape,
Nuttie.'

'I can't help that,' she answered with her head rather high.

'You have written and explained?' he said anxiously.

'To my mother, of course.'

'If I were you,' he said, lowering his voice, 'I should write or send a
special message to your father.'

'I can't see why. It was a mistake.'

'Yours was a strong measure, and he won't like it. Be advised, Nuttie.
Recollect your mother. The best way would be to go home at once. I
could get a day to take you--if you would start this afternoon.'

'Thank you; I'm not going back till I hear,' she said proudly.

Time being up, Mark took his leave hastily, and as he shut the door,
Nuttie uttered half aloud the words she had scarcely repressed, 'No, I
thank you, Mr. Mark, I am not going back like a dog in a string.'

'What, was that what he expected of you?' said Gerard Godfrey, whom she
had not intended to hear her, but who had come out of the sitting-room
on the sounds of departure.

'He said he would take me home if I could go at once.'

'Wouldn't he have liked it!' exclaimed Gerard.

'It might be the best way,' said Miss N