he
vain hope of getting rid of her. "Oh, yes--that's just--the fun. We'd
get on--together--you and I--"

"No, no," said I, decided on this point, bewildered though I was.

"I can't stand washing--either--it's awful--in winter--and makes one
have--chaps."

"But I don't mind it in the least," I protested faintly, not having any
energy left.

"Oh, I say!" said the little girl, looking at my face, and making the
sound known as a guffaw. The familiarity of this little girl was wholly
revolting.

We had got safely through the door, round the corner past the radishes,
and were in the shrubbery. I knew from experience how easy it was to
hide in the tangle of little paths, and stopped a moment to look round
and listen. The little girl opened her mouth to speak. With great
presence of mind I instantly put my muff in front of it and held it
there tight, while I listened. Dead silence, except for the laboured
breathing and struggles of the little girl.

"I don't hear a sound," I whispered, letting her go again. "Now what did
you want to say?" I added, eyeing her severely.

"I wanted to say," she panted, "that it's no good pretending you wash
with a nose like that."

"A nose like that! A nose like what?" I exclaimed, greatly offended; and
though I put up my hand and very tenderly and carefully felt it, I could
find no difference in it. "I am afraid poor Miss Robinson must have a
wretched life," I said, in tones of deep disgust.

The little girl smiled fatuously, as though I were paying her
compliments. "It's all green and brown," she said, pointing. "Is it
always like that?"

Then I remembered the wet fir tree near the gate, and the enraptured
kiss it had received, and blushed.

"Won't it come off?" persisted the little girl.

"Of course it will come off," I answered, frowning.

"Why don't you rub it off?"

Then I remembered the throwing away of the handkerchief, and blushed
again.

"Please lend me your handkerchief," I said humbly, "I--I have lost
mine."

There was a great fumbling in six different pockets, and then a
handkerchief that made me young again merely to look at it was produced.
I took it thankfully and rubbed with energy, the little girl, intensely
interested, watching the operation and giving me advice. "There--it's
all right now--a little more on the right--there--now it's all off."

"Are you sure? No green left?" I anxiously asked.

"No, it's red all over now," she replied cheerfully. "Let me