s in
turn to act as master or mistress of the ceremonies for a short time?"

"I believe I did say something of the kind. It occurred to me that it
might be an interesting experiment."

"And did you mean that we could really do what we liked, about money and
everything else, just as if we were really and truly the real owner in
your place?"

Mr Farrell smiled somewhat grimly.

"If your sister asked me that question, I should say `Yes.' Knowing as
I do your capacity for extravagance, I am a little more cautious.
Within reasonable limits that is, however, what I meant to imply."

"Ah!" sighed Mollie deeply. "But it all depends on what you call
reasonable. At any rate, you can only refuse, and things can be no
worse than they are at present. Please, Uncle Bernard, may I begin my
reign from to-day?"

"Your reign! You put it forcibly, my dear--more so than is perhaps
quite pleasant in my ears. And you are the youngest of the four; your
turn should come last, not first. When the others have had their
trial--"

"But they have never asked for it; they don't want it, and I do; and you
said nothing about taking turns when you made the suggestion. If you
let me begin, they could take warning from my mistakes. I don't think
you would find they disliked the arrangement. Do, please, be kind and
say `Yes.'"

Mr Farrell reflected for a moment, bringing the tips of his fingers
together.

"As you say, you are the first to express any desire to take me at my
word. If it pleases you to assume the reins of government for a short
time, I have no objection."

"You mean it really? I can begin at once, and give what orders I like?"

"Subject, as I have said, to some possible restrictions if your
enthusiasm carries you too far. There is evidently some big scheme
looming behind this request. You had better let me know the worst at
once. What is to be your first extravagance?"

Mollie's head still rested in the cup of her hands. She looked at him
steadily, with a little flame of determination in her grey eyes.

"I am going to have the vicarage painted and papered from top to bottom.
It's disgracefully shabby! The paper is hanging off the walls in some
places, and where it isn't, it would be almost better if it were, it is
so ugly and worn. It is too bad to expect Mr and Mrs Thornton to do
all the hard, depressing work of the parish and keep bright and cheerful
themselves, when their home is enough to give the blu