ing her hat before the mirror of the
overmantel, "you may choose any pudding you like, tell cook. Here are
the keys"--she paused to throw a small bunch in Dorothy's lap. "Get out
anything they want. And Dick won't be in till half-past one, tell her.
And Dollie"--there was again that queer little catch in her voice--"it
is possible Miss Addiscombe may call this afternoon. I have told Louisa
to show her right into the drawing-room without telling her I am out,
and come and find you. I want you to be very nice to her, and explain
about the Merediths. Tell her I was obliged to go because they only gave
me the place of meeting, and I have not their address. I shall be home
as soon as possible, between four and five at latest, so do your best to
keep her till I come back."

"Did you say Miss _Addiscombe_, mother?" said Dorothy dismally, yet a
little comforted by having the keys, and with the thought of choosing
the pudding, "I don't think _she's_ likely to call."

"I said Miss Addiscombe," Mrs. Graham answered decidedly. "Do you
understand what I wish you to do, Dollie?"

"Yes, mother," said Dorothy, subdued but mutinous.

Then she ran after her to the hall door.

"Mayn't I ask some one to spend the day, mother?" she called, but Mrs.
Graham was almost at the gate, nearly running to be in time for her
train, and did not hear her.

* * * * *

Mrs. Graham came home looking very white and tired. "Did Miss Addiscombe
call?" were the first words she said.

Louisa, who was bringing in the tea, looked meaningly at Dorothy, and
went out without speaking.

"Oh, mother!" said Dorothy, "I am so sorry, I had been in all day, and
Helen Jones just asked me to come to the post with her, and when I came
back there was a motor at the door, and----"

"She _came_!" exclaimed Mrs. Graham. "And you did not give her my
message! Oh, Dorothy!"

Her tone was almost like a cry of pain. Dorothy was startled. "She
wouldn't wait, mother, and--and of course it _was_ strange she came
to-day when she hasn't called for ages and ages! I didn't think she
would, or I wouldn't have gone," she explained.

Mrs. Graham did not argue the point. She lay down on the sofa and closed
her eyes. Dorothy longed to ask her about the American cousins, but did
not dare. Presently she poured out a cup of tea and brought it to her
mother.

"If you take some tea you will feel better, mother," she said softly.

"If I had asked Dick