bit of goin' to the mill by nine
o'clock, for all 'e's so rich, so you must take that as a compliment, my
dear.'

'I do. I think it's most awfully kind of him, and I'm simply dying to
know what his plan is,' cried Horatia.

'You look anything but dying,' said Sarah, with a glance at Horatia's
bright, eager face.

'If you please, ma'am, the master has sent word that he'd be glad if the
young ladies would come to the barn as soon as they've finished
breakfast,' announced Sykes.

Both girls looked in surprise at this request--which, however, they both
prepared to carry out; and Sarah remarked that Sykes looked quite excited
for him.

'It's the plan! What on earth can it be, Sarah? What kind of place is the
barn?'

'A huge, ugly, dark, long room,' said Sarah in disgust, for the barn was
the last place to amuse one's self in.

'Oh, then, your father is having a magic-lantern show for us. Well, it's
very kind of him,' said Horatia in rather disappointed tones, for she was
not fond of a magic-lantern.

'We'd better drive there; it will be wet across the grass. Put on your
'ats an' take wraps wi' you in case you get 'ot, for the barn may be
draughty,' said Mrs Clay.

'Are you coming, mother?' said Sarah.

'Yes, my dear, if you don't mind. I sha'n't interfere wi' your pleasure,
an' I'd like to see the magic-lantern, too,' said Mrs. Clay quite gaily
for her.

'Of course, come along. Perhaps Nancy might come too; she'd like to see
it.'

'If she goes, Naomi might as well go too; it's absurd to have a
magic-lantern for three people,' said Sarah.

Mrs Clay said no more, but put on the cloak her maid brought her, and sat
there smiling, in what Sarah considered rather an aggravating way, till
the large motor which was to take them all to the barn drove up to the
door.

Two minutes brought them to the barn-door.

'Why, there's a band!' cried Horatia; 'or is it a gramophone?'

The door flew open as if by magic when they appeared, and even Sarah
gave a cry of admiration as Horatia, clapping her hands, exclaimed, 'Why,
it's a rink!--a lovely rink!'

'It is,' said Sarah, and said no more.

'It's better than a magic-lantern, isn't it, my dear?' inquired Mrs Clay
with a happy smile.

'Oh Mr. Clay, you are good!' cried Horatia, as she laid her little hand
in his huge, rough one.

The millionaire held it for a moment as he said, 'That's all right.
You're more than welcome, my little lass. Now, let's see you play thi