on as carted luggage to its address.

Next morning he learned that Tony was to go with Earley to fetch extra
cream from Mr. Burgess' farm.

It was unfortunate that he couldn't get any of Tony's clothes without
causing comment. He had tried the day before, but beyond a jersey and
two little vests (which happened to be little Fay's), he had been unable
to find anything. Well, Jan would be glad enough to send Tony's clothes
when he let her know where they were to be sent. Tony had changed a good
deal from the silent, solemn child he had disliked in India. He was
franker and more talkative. Sometimes Hugo felt that the child wasn't
such a bad little chap, after all. But the very evident understanding
between Jan and Tony filled Hugo with a dull sort of jealousy. He had
never tried to win the child, but nevertheless he resented the fact that
Tony's attitude to Jan and Meg was one of perfect trust and
friendliness. He never looked at them with the strange judging, weighing
look that Hugo hated so heartily.

He strolled into the drive and waited. Meg and Jan were busy in the
day-nursery, making the little garments that were outgrown so fast.
Little Fay was playing on the Wren's lawn and singing to herself:

The fox went out one moonlight night,
And he played to the moon to give him light,
For he had a long way to tlot that night
Before he could leach his den-oh.

Hugo listened for a minute. What a clear voice the child had. He would
like to have taken little Fay, but already he stood in wholesome awe of
his daughter. She could use her thoroughly sound lungs for other
purposes than song, and she hadn't the smallest scruple about drawing
universal attention to any grievance. Now Tony would never make a scene.
Hugo recognised and admired that quality in his queer little son. He did
not know that Tony already ruled his little life by a categorical
imperative of things a sahib must not do.

At the drive gate he met Earley carrying the can of cream, with Tony
trotting by his side.

"I'm going into the village, Tony, and Auntie Jan says you may as well
come with me for company. Will you come?"

Tony looked dubious. Still, he remembered that Auntie Jan had said he
must try and be kind to poor Daddie, who had been so ill and was so sad.

"All right," he said with a little sigh, and took the hand Hugo held
out.

"He'll be quite safe with me, Earley," Hugo said with a pleasant smile.
"Miss Ross knows I'm goin