201

XVII. "THOUGH AN HOST SHOULD ENCAMP AGAINST
ME" 212

XVIII. MEG AND CAPTAIN MIDDLETON 220

XIX. THE YOUNG IDEA 240

XX. "ONE WAY OF LOVE" 252

XXI. ANOTHER WAY OF LOVE 261

XXII. THE ENCAMPMENT 276

XXIII. TACTICS 287

XXIV. "THE WAY OF A MAN WITH A MAID" 303

XXV. A DEMONSTRATION IN FORCE 325

XXVI. IN WHICH SEVERAL PEOPLE SPEAK THEIR MINDS 339

XXVII. AUGUST, 1914 351

_ILLUSTRATIONS_

"But surely," said Peter, "I _am_ your job--part of it,
anyway" _Frontispiece_

FACING
PAGE

"It would make it easier for both of us if you'd face it,
my dear" 66

He washed his small sister with thoroughness and despatch,
pointing out ... that he "went into all the
corners" 156

William rushed out to welcome the strangers. Two ...
nice children 188

JAN AND HER JOB

CHAPTER I

JAN

She was something of a puzzle to the other passengers. They couldn't
quite place her. She came on board the P. and O. at Marseilles. Being
Christmas week the boat was not crowded, and she had a cabin to herself
on the spar deck, so there was no "stable-companion" to find out
anything about her.

The sharp-eyed Australian lady, who sat opposite her at the Purser's
table, decided that she was not married, or even engaged, as she wore no
rings of any kind. Besides, her name, "Miss Janet Ross," figured in the
dinner-list and was plainly painted on her deck-chair. At meals she sat
beside the Purser, and seemed more or less under his wing. People at her
table decided that she couldn't be going out as a governess or she would
hardly be travelling first class, and yet she did not look of the sort
who globe-trot all by themselves.

Rather tall, slender without being thin, she moved well. Her ringless
hands were smooth and prettily shaped, so were her slim feet, and alw