land.

'I should go as I was,' said Mrs. Mallowe. 'It would be a delicate
compliment to her style.'

Mrs. Hauksbee studied herself in the glass.

'Assuming for a moment that she ever darkened these doors, I should put
on this robe, after all the others, to show her what a morning-wrapper
ought to be. It might enliven her. As it is, I shall go in the
dove-coloured sweet emblem of youth and innocence and shall put on my
new gloves.'

'If you really are going, dirty tan would be too good; and you know that
dove-colour spots with the rain.'

'I care not. I may make her envious. At least I shall try, though one
cannot expect very much from a woman who puts a lace tucker into her
habit.'

'Just Heavens! When did she do that?'

'Yesterday riding with The Dancing Master. I met them at the back of
Jakko, and the rain had made the lace lie down. To complete the effect,
she was wearing an unclean terai with the elastic under her chin. I felt
almost too well content to take the trouble to despise her.'

'The Hawley Boy was riding with you. What did he think?'

'Does a boy ever notice these things? Should I like him if he did?
He stared in the rudest way, and just when I thought he had seen the
elastic, he said, "There's something very taking about that face." I
rebuked him on the spot. I don't approve of boys being taken by faces.'

'Other than your own. I shouldn't be in the least surprised if the
Hawley Boy immediately went to call.'

'I forbade him. Let her be satisfied with The Dancing Master, and his
wife when she comes up. I'm rather curious to see Mrs. Bent and the
Delville woman together.'

Mrs. Hauksbee departed and, at the end of an hour, returned slightly
flushed.

'There is no limit to the treachery of youth! I ordered the Hawley Boy,
as he valued my patronage, not to call. The first person I stumble over
literally stumble over in her poky, dark little drawing-room is, of
course, the Hawley Boy. She kept us waiting ten minutes, and then
emerged as though she had been tipped out of the dirtyclothes-basket.
You know my way, dear, when I am at all put out. I was Superior,
crrrrushingly Superior! 'Lifted my eyes to Heaven, and had heard of
nothing 'dropped my eyes on the carpet and "really didn't know" 'played
with my cardcase and "supposed so." The Hawley Boy giggled like a girl,
and I had to freeze him with scowls between the sentences.'

'And she?'

'She sat in a heap on the edge of a couch, and mana