orks, spoons, and plates. Then he
discovered that the covers were still on the drawing-room chairs and the
dust-cloth on the floor, and much time and trouble was necessary for
their removal. Finally, he and Jill had to dress to receive their
guests.

"I think it will be a jolly evening," said he somewhat doubtfully, as
they hurried to their rooms.

"I'm sure it will," said Jill, whose mind had not once been clouded by a
doubt. "The herrings will be cold, that's the only thing. But they may
think that's the newest fashion."

"Look sharp and dress, anyhow," said Tom, "because you've got to cut
them in fours and stick them round on the plates, and it's half-past six
already."

Half an hour later a grand carriage and pair drove up to the door, and
Raffles solemnly announced--

"His Grace the Duke of Somewhere, and the Ladies Marigold."

Miss Oliphant's evening party had begun!

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

MISS JILL OLIPHANT AT HOME.

When His Grace, who had been a good deal puzzled by his abrupt, under-
stamped invitation, stepped, head in air, into the drawing-room, he was
somewhat taken aback to discover neither the captain nor his charming
elder daughter, but instead, to be greeted by a little girl, nervously
put forward by a small boy, and saying--

"Oh, duke, _do_ you mind coming? I hope you'll enjoy the party so much.
There'll be some dancing presently, and supper as soon as all the
others come."

"You're the first," said Tom. "Never mind, the others won't be long.
Like to read the newspaper, or take a turn round?"

Mentally he was calculating how he should manage to squeeze in the
duke's two daughters, who hadn't been invited, at his hospitable board.

The duke smiled affably.

"We are rather early, but Miss Rosalind will excuse--"

"Oh, she's away--so is father. This is my party and Tom's. Oh, duke,
do try and like it!" said Jill, taking the great man's hand.

The duke cast a scared look over his shoulder at his daughters, who were
staring in a somewhat awestruck manner at their two small hosts.

"If the girls would like to begin dancing," suggested Tom, "Jill can
play her piece now, and you can take one, and I'll take the other.
It'll keep the things going, you know, till the rest turn up."

At this juncture Dr Brandram was announced, greatly to Tom's delight,
who, among so many strangers, was beginning to feel a little shy.

"That's all right," said he. "Good old Brandy! you lead off wi