ose things. You might not have been prepared to pay then and--and that
would have been unpleasant for you. But--well, you see, I didn't think,
and you were so queer and cross when you followed me to the draper's
shop, that--that I--well, I was disagreeable, too. I am sorry."

"That's all right."

"Thank you. Is there anything else you wish to say?"

"No."

"You're sure?"

"Yes."

"Why did you buy the Slazenger racket instead of the other one?"

I had forgotten the "Slazenger" for the moment. She had caught me
unawares.

"Oh--oh," I stammered, "well, it was a much better racket and--and, as
you were buying one, it seemed foolish not to get the best."

"I know. I wanted the better one very much, but I thought it too
expensive. I did not feel that I should spend so much money."

"That's all right. The difference wasn't so much and I made the change
on my own responsibility. I--well, just consider that I bought the
racket and you bought none."

She regarded me intently. "You mean that you bought it as a present for
me?" she said slowly.

"Yes; yes, if you will accept it as such."

She was silent. I remembered perfectly well what she had said concerning
presents from me and I wondered what I should do with that racket when
she threw it back on my hands.

"Thank you," she said. "I will accept it. Thank you very much."

I was staggered, but I recovered sufficiently to tell her she was quite
welcome.

She turned to go. Then she turned back.

"Doctor Bayliss asked me to play tennis with him tomorrow morning," she
said. "May I?"

"May you? Why, of course you may, if you wish, I suppose. Why in the
world do you ask my permission?"

"Oh, don't you wish me to ask? I inferred from what you said at Wrayton
that you did wish me to ask permission concerning many things."

"I wished--I said--oh, don't be silly, please! Haven't we had silliness
enough for one afternoon, Miss Morley."

"My Christian name is Frances. May I play tennis with Doctor Bayliss
to-morrow morning, Uncle Hosea?"

"Of course you may. How could I prevent it, even if I wished, which I
don't."

"Thank you, Uncle Hosea. Mr. Worcester is going to play also. We need
a fourth. I can borrow another racket. Will you be my partner, Uncle
Hosea?"

"_I_? Your partner?"

"Yes. You play tennis; Auntie says so. Will you play to-morrow morning
as my partner?"

"But I play an atrocious game and--"

"So do I. We shall match beautifully. Thank you,