ed to move her from her front.

"Jill is waiting for Prince Edward of Wales. There's no other unmarried
male who comes up to her standpoint," said her father, laughing; and
once more Miles marvelled at the changes of the years!

When bedtime came, Betty looked shyly at the new Miles, who seemed still
more than half a stranger, and felt her heart throb with pleasure as his
grasp tightened on her arm, and he said affectionately--

"Come into my room for a chat, old girl, before you turn in! It won't
seem like home unless I see you perched on my bed nursing your knees and
your grievances at the same time. Got any grievances nowadays, eh? You
used generally to have a good stock on hand. We'll have to lay them
together while I'm at home. That's what I want to do--give you all a
rattling good time! It's what I have looked forward to most in coming
home. How are things going, really? Quite well? No bothers and
worries that you have been keeping to yourselves, for fear of making me
anxious?"

"Nothing big, dear--only the little worries which one must grin and put
up with."

Betty perched herself on the bed, and fell into the old position, while
Miles sat down on the chair by the dressing-table, and began unlacing
his shoes with the same, oh, the very same gestures which he had used
every night during the many long years when this evening conference had
been the brightest spot in the day! It was as if time had flashed back
for a moment, and they were boy and girl together once more! Betty's
eyes melted in tender rejoicing, and Miles cried heartily--

"Bet, my dear, you've grown rattling pretty! You beat Jill into fits
when you look like that. You must wear that frock when Gerard comes
next week. It suits you splendidly."

"I got it for your sake--not Mr Gerard's. You always liked pink,
Miles. Oh, I shan't have any grievances now that you are home. I am
really and truly far less grumbly than I used to be. I have tried hard
to make it a duty to be happy, since I discovered--you know how!--how
imaginary my troubles really were--but sometimes I have felt very
lonely. I think one does, as one grows older, for there seem so many
things that one can't talk about to the best of friends. Of course you
may not understand the feeling--you are so devoted to Mr Gerard."

Miles kicked his shoes in opposite directions--another old trick!--and
stroked his chin silently. The offending beard had disappeared, but the