te plunge.

"What time do the posts go, Uncle Bernard? We ought to let mother know
of our arrival."

"I have already directed a telegram to that effect to be despatched.
May I suggest that you delay any communication on your own part until we
have had a future conversation."

Checkmate! Mollie gave a vague murmur of assent, and cast about for
remark number two.

"It seems so funny to be here and to see all the things we have heard
about so often! I recognise this room quite well from mother's
description. There is an alcove behind me, isn't there, with a harp in
the corner?"

"The harp was removed years ago. I imagine there are a great many
alterations since your mother's last visit. The use of the word `funny'
is somewhat inappropriate, is it not? I see nothing ludicrous in the
position."

Check number two! Mollie's wide-eyed perturbation was almost pathetic
in its intensity. She was not accustomed to being snubbed in this
public fashion, and, after the first shock, a feeling of resentment
brought the colour rushing into her cheeks.

"I meant `curious.' The two words are often used for each other."

"Mistakenly so. Many situations are curious which are not in the least
degree amusing."

"They are indeed!" was Mollie's mental comment. "The present, for
example; anything much less festive I fail to imagine." Her lips
twitched involuntarily as the thought passed through her mind, and,
looking up, she met Jack Melland's eyes fixed full on her, with an
answering twinkle in their blue depths. For one agonising moment she
trembled upon the brink of laughter, when mercifully the door was thrown
open to announce the arrival of the vicar and his wife. Mr Thornton
was tall and thin, with a much-lined face full of shrewd kindness and
sympathy; his wife was a pretty, plump little woman, who looked on
exceedingly good terms with herself and the world at large.

"Thank goodness, they will talk! They look alive, not mere graven
images," Mollie said to herself thankfully, as the necessary
introductions were taking place. Then the squire gave his arm to Mrs
Thornton, Mr Thornton offered his in turn to Mrs Wolff, and Victor
Druce, evidently obeying a previous instruction, paired off with Ruth,
leaving Mollie to his companion.

In silence the little company crossed the hall; in silence they seated
themselves round the dinner-table and prepared for the feast. Ruth's
grey eyes were brilliant with excitement