it?" Olive smiled. "We often do that--take a
tea-basket and have a picnic."

Tea again! Suddenly Toni grew desperate. Tea must be offered; there was
no way out of this dilemma save a frank acceptance of the situation; and
with a sinking heart Toni took the plunge.

"I ... we were just having tea, my cousin and I," she said abruptly.
"Will you ... will you come and have some? I'm sure you must be thirsty
after your drive."

Mrs. Anstey, with a look at her niece, accepted courteously. It was a
hot day and the roads were dusty, and in a house like Greenriver one
need not be afraid of putting one's hostess out by accepting a cup of
tea.

"Thank you. A cup of tea would be very refreshing--I'm sure Olive thinks
so, don't you, dear?"

"Oh, I'm always ready for tea," replied the girl, laughing, "and
motoring does make one thirsty, doesn't it, Mrs. Rose?"

"Will you come, then?" Toni had risen, and now moved, feeling cold with
nervousness, towards the door. "We ... we are having tea in the
dining-room to-day."'

Barry opened the door as she spoke; and together the little party
crossed the hall to the dining-room. Andrews was hovering about; and as
he saw his mistress leading her guests he slipped away in search of
fresh cups and a supply of hot tea.

Inside the dining-room Miss Gibbs, having reduced her appearance to
something like order, was sitting rather apprehensively in her place;
and as the door opened to admit the quartette she rose and stood waiting
nervously for Toni's introductions.

These were soon made. Mrs. Anstey and Olive shook hands with Fanny, each
of them wondering in her mind at the relationship between her pretty,
shy hostess and this florid, rather overdressed young woman; but
convention mercifully intervened to hide their wonder; and Fanny could
find no fault with their courteous greetings.

With Barry it was quite impossible to feel ill at ease; and he shook
hands so nicely, making a remark about Jock as he did so, that Fanny
felt suddenly comfortable again.

The guests, in response to Toni's invitation, seated themselves; Olive
taking a chair by Fanny's side, while Mrs. Anstey sat next to her
hostess, and Barry appropriated a stool beside the elder woman.

Andrews entering with fresh supplies, Toni provided her visitors with
tea, losing her first nervousness as she did so; and for a moment it
seemed as though the little party would be a success after all.

Mrs. Anstey had just accepted a