d either the noise of the type-writer or the noises of the
parrot he found both the dining-room and the drawing-room uninhabitable.

Day after day Dorothy and Michael and Nicky, on the terrace, looked out
for his coming. (Only extreme distance made Uncle Morrie's figure small
and harmless and pathetic.) Day after day he presented himself with an
air of distinction and assurance, flushed, and a little battered, but
still handsome, wearing a spruce grey suit and a panama hat bought with
Anthony's money. Sheep-farming in Australia--he had infinitely preferred
the Cape Mounted Police--had ruined Maurice's nerves. He was good for
nothing but to lounge in Anthony's garden, to ride his horses--it was
his riding that had got him into the Cape Mounted Police--to sit at his
table and drink his wines, and, when there was no more wine for him, to
turn into Jack Straw's Castle for a pick-me-up on his way home.

And before July was out three others were added to the garden group:
Bartholomew and Vera and Veronica. And after them a fourth, Vera's
friend, Captain Ferdinand Cameron, home on sick leave before anybody
expected him.

Frances's tree of Heaven sheltered them all.

VII

Bartholomew, Anthony's brother, lived in Bombay and looked after his
business for him in the East. He had something the matter with him, and
he had come home to look after his own health. At least, Bartholomew's
health was what he was supposed to be looking after; but Dorothy had
heard her father say that Bartie had come home to look after Vera.

Vera was Bartie's wife and Veronica's mother. Before she became Mrs.
Bartholomew Harrison she had been Frances's schoolfellow and her dearest
friend. Frances Fleming had been her bridesmaid and had met Anthony for
the first time at Vera's wedding, when he had fallen in love with her;
and she had fallen in love with him when they stayed together in
Bartholomew's house, before Bartholomew took Vera to Bombay.

Bartie had not been married ten months before he wanted to get Vera out
of England; and Vera had not been in India for ten weeks before he
wanted her to go back. They were always coming backwards and forwards,
but they never came together. Vera would be sent home first, and then
Bartie would come over in a great hurry and take her out again.

Twelve years after their marriage Veronica was born at Simla, and the
coming and going ceased for three years. Then Bartie sent them both
home. That time Vera had