rents are alive, and one sister--an invalid. Altogether, I have
nothing to complain of in the past, and the future looks pleasant just
now. Three months in this charming place--in such society!"

Victor Druce made a graceful little bow, which took in both the girls,
and his glance lingered on Mollie bending forward, the spray of
heliotrope still raised to her face.

"Stealing already, Miss Mollie! You will get into trouble with the
authorities. How do you know that plant was not being specially
preserved for exhibition at a show?"

"I hope it wasn't; but it's no use telling me to do as I like, and then
to object if I pick a flower. I shall pick them every day--several
times a day. I shall always be picking them! I think I shall take the
care of this house altogether, and do the watering and snip off the dead
leaves. I love snipping! And I shall arrange the flowers on the table,
too; they are very badly done--so stiff. Just like a man's taste!"

The two men smiled at each other, while Ruth protested quickly--

"No, you can't, Mollie. I'm the eldest, and I've `barleyed' it already.
You can arrange the vases in the drawing-room, if you like."

"Thank you, ma'am!" said Mollie calmly. "Just as you like."

Judging from the fervour with which she had stated her intentions a
moment earlier, the listeners expected that she would dispute her
sister's mandate and hardly knew how to account for her unruffled
composure. But, in truth, Mollie was already reflecting that flowers
took a long time to arrange satisfactorily, and that it would be a bore
to saddle herself with a regular duty. Much more fun to let Ruth do it,
and criticise the results! She sniffed daintily at the heliotrope,
turning her head from side to side to examine the possibilities of the
conservatory.

"Well, anyway, I shall take this place in hand! It will make a lovely
little snuggery, with rugs on the floor and basket-chairs everywhere
about, and an odd table or two to hold books and work, and tea when we
like to have it here. I'll have a blind to the door, too, so that we
shan't be surprised if visitors are shown into the drawing-room. Is
there a door of escape, by the way? I hate to be penned up where I
can't run away to a place of safety." She peered inquiringly round the
trunk of the palm, whereupon Victor Druce slid down from his perch, and
walked to the further end of the floor.

"Yes, there's a door here. If you see anyone comi