aughters, aren't you?
I have watched you and your sisters from my windows, and envied you for
being together. I do so miss my own sisters. I have five--think of
that!--and only one married besides myself. You can think what a lively
time of it we used to have!"

But Jill was too busy thinking of something else to have any thought to
spare for the lively times of the past.

"Are you married?" she inquired breathlessly. "Truly and really? You
look much too young. We thought you were engaged, and had an invalid
mother in the house. I suppose he is the husband?"

"Yes, he is the husband, sure enough, and we keep no invalids nor
skeletons of any sort in the cupboards, only such a lot of big, empty
rooms, waiting for girls to fill them. I do love girls. I can't be
happy without girls. We have been away constantly the last few months,
but now that we are settled at home I must call on your mother, and ask
if she will spare you to come and have tea with me sometimes. Would you
like to come?"

"Rather!" replied Jill in expressive, schoolgirl fashion, and the pretty
lady laughed again.

"That's all right! We must arrange a day quite soon, and I must ask
Cynthia Alliot to meet you. She is a lonely little soul who needs
livening. There now, here we are at your door, and I am sure you are
longing to see how the old gentleman is getting on. Good-bye! We shall
meet soon again."

She waved her hand, and hurried homewards, the red toque gleaming out
brightly as she passed under the lamp-post, and Jill gazed after her
with adoring eyes. Young girls often cherish a romantic affection for
women older than themselves, and where could there be a more fitting
object on which to lavish one's devotion--so young, so pretty, so
friendly, so--so understanding! She had not preached a bit, only just
thought it would be better to leave old people alone; and then that
suggestion of elastic! In itself it was sufficient to establish her as
a miracle of good sense and ingenuity!

CHAPTER SEVEN.

WHAT THE VICTIM SAID.

Jill entered the house to hear from the servant that the doctor had not
yet returned from his rounds, that Mrs Trevor was also out, and that
Miss Betty and Master Jack were looking after the old gentleman in the
dining-room.

Listening outside the door, she caught a sound of puffing and groaning,
and, unable to resist the promptings of anxiety and curiosity, turned
the handle and entered the room.

The