tell Miss 'Arringay you'll
want 'er room.'

'But--but I've got another spare room. Miss Harringay knows that.'

Elizabeth winked: I pretended not to see it, but there was no mistaking
the distinct muscular movement of her left eyelid. 'No you '_aven't_,'
she said stoutly. 'You 'avent got any proper bedding in the spare room
now, 'ave you?'

'That's too thin,' I said decidedly. Yet even as I spoke I clutched at
the straw and, holding on to it, went at once and wrote to Marion.

'You must come home at once,' I commanded, 'in spite of great-aunt
Jane's rheumatism. Is it not written that it is better to have one
rheumatic great-aunt than a brother, sister-in-law, and a niece in an
asylum!'

For answer Marion wired the time of her return train, and I began to
grow hopeful.

'An' when Miss Marryun comes,' remarked Elizabeth, 'if I wos you I
wouldn't say nothin' to 'er about the way Mr. Roarings went after Miss
'Arringay.'

'Why not?' I asked involuntarily.

'She mightn't trust 'im arter that. I never thort myself 'e'd turn as
quick as 'e did. But men is queer, as my pore mother often said when
father give 'er a black eye just to show 'ow fond 'e was of her like.
No, the best thing to do is to let Miss Marryun think that Mr. Roarings
is still taken up with 'er and only went after the other young lady to
make 'er jealous.'

There was much wisdom in Elizabeth's words. Nevertheless, I did not
intend to mix myself up in any more matrimonial schemes. Much as I
desired to see Marion happy, I felt that arranging the destiny of
others did not leave me enough leisure to arrange my own, besides
interfering with my literary work. At the moment, too, the thought
uppermost in my mind was how to dispose of Gladys.

I went to her with Marion's telegram in my hand and a falsely contrite
expression on my face. 'I'm so awfully sorry, Gladys, but a most
unforeseen thing has happened,' I said. 'Marion is coming to-day, and
she'll have to take your room. Isn't it an idiotic situation?'

Gladys pondered. 'But you have another spare room, haven't you?' she
demanded brightly.

'Yes, Gladys, we have. But we haven't got the bedding for that just
now. The mattress is being cleaned, and I suppose it won't be sent
back for another fortnight at least.'

Undaunted, Gladys had another idea. 'Then do you think Marion would
mind sharing my room?'

'She would indeed--you see she walks in her sleep,' I said glibly,
wondering