like a human being you get that sort of thing, and if you don't
you're a pig, and treated accordingly." She looked at them
whimsically. "Please don't think me a pig!" she said. "I--I shall
never forget how you held the door open for me, Mr. Jim!"

"Oh, I say, don't!" protested the unhappy Jim, turning scarlet.

"Now you're afraid I'm going to be sentimental, but I'm not. I'm
going to polish the boards in the passage, and then you can give me
another job. Lunch is cold to-day: I've done all the cooking. Now,
please don't--" as Norah began to protest. "Dear me, if you only knew
how nice it is to speak to some one again!" She swooped upon Wally's
tin of floor-polish, scooped half of its contents into the lid with a
hair-pin, commandeered two cloths from a basketful of cleaning
matters, and strode off. From the passage came a steady pounding that
spoke of as much "elbow-grease" as polish being applied.

"Did you ever!" said Jim weakly.

"Never," said Wally. "I say, I think she's a good sort."

"So do I. But who'd have thought it!"

"Poor old soul!" said Norah. "She must be most horribly dull. But
after our first day I wouldn't have dared to make a remark to her
unless she'd condescended to address me first."

"I should think you wouldn't," said Wally. "But she's really quite
human when she tucks her claws in."

"Oh, my aunt!" said Jim, chuckling. "I'd give a month's pay to have
seen the footman chuck her under the chin!" They fell into
convulsions of silent laughter.

From the passage, as they regained composure, came a broken melody,
punctuated by the dull pounding on the floor. Miss de Lisle, on her
knees, had become sentimental, and warbled as she rubbed.

_"'I do not ask for the heart of thy heart.'"_

"Why wouldn't you?" murmured Wally, with a rapt expression. "Any one
who can make pikelets like you----"

"Be quiet, Wally," grinned Jim. "She'll hear you."

"Not she--she's too happy. Listen."

_"'All that I a-a-sk for is all that may be,
All that thou ca-a-a-rest to give unto me!
I do not ask'"----_

Crash! Bang! Splash!

"Heavens, what's happened!" exclaimed Jim.

They rushed out. At the end of the passage Miss de Lisle and the
irreproachable Allenby struggled in a heap--in an ever-widening pool
of water that came from an overturned bucket lying a yard away. The
family rushed to the rescue. Allenby got to his feet as they arrived,
and dragged up the drenched