ave his profession to take care of itself, and other architects have
stepped in and gained the commissions that used to come to his office.
It may take him a long while to pull his connection together again, and
the time of waiting will be one of much anxiety for him. Then, most of
our investments, which used to pay such good dividends, are worth hardly
anything now, and only bring us in a pittance compared with former
years. Instead of being rich people, we shall have to be very careful
indeed to make ends meet. To return to Rotherwood is utterly out of the
question, and with the price of everything doubled and trebled, and our
income in the inverse ratio, it is impossible to keep up so big an
establishment nowadays."

"Where are we going to live, then?" asked Ingred in a strangled voice.

"At the bungalow that Daddy built on the moors. Fortunately the tenant
was leaving, and we had not let it to any one else. In present
circumstances it will suit us very well. Athelstane is to be entered in
the medical school at Birkshaw; he can ride over every day on the
motor-bicycle. We had hoped to send him to study in London, but that's
only one of the many plans that have 'gane agley'."

"Are Hereward and I to go in to Grovebury every day?"

"Hereward can manage it all right, but I shall arrange for you to be a
weekly boarder at the new hostel. You can come home from Friday to
Monday. Now, don't cry about it, childie!" as a big tear splashed down
Ingred's dress. "After all, we've much to be thankful for. If we had
lost Father, or Egbert, or Athelstane out in France we might indeed
grieve. So long as we have each other we've got the best thing in life,
and we must all cling together as a family, and help one another on.
Cheer up!"

"It will be simply h--h--h--hateful to go back to school this term, and
not live at R--r--r--rotherwood!" sobbed Ingred.

Her mother patted the dark head that rested against her knee.

"Poor little woman! Remember it's just as hard for all the rest of us.
We've each got a burden to carry at present. Suppose we see who can be
pluckiest over it. We're fighting fortune now, instead of the Hun, and
we must show her a brave face. Won't you march with the family regiment,
and keep the colors flying?"

"I'll try," said Ingred, scrubbing her eyes with her
pocket-handkerchief.

CHAPTER II

Opening Day

The Girls' College at Grovebury, under its able head-mistress, Miss
Burd, had made itsel