rtainly better come soon, before your family's manners
become ruined, Mrs. Hunt," said Mr. Linton, laughing. "Then you can
really manage to get away to-morrow? Very well--I'll call for you
about five, if that will do."

"Yes; that will give me time to see Douglas first."

"But you won't tell him anything?"

"Oh, no: he would only worry. Of course, Mr. Linton, I shall be able
to get up to see him every day?"

"We're less than an hour by rail," he told her. "And the trains are
good. Now I think you had better pack up those youngsters, and I'll
get a taxi."

Norah helped to pack the little clothes, trying hard to remember
instructions as to food and insistence on good manners.

"Oh, I know you'll spoil them," said Mrs. Hunt resignedly. "Poor
mites, they could do with a bit of spoiling: they have had a dreary
year. But I think they will be good: they have been away with my
sister sometimes, and she gives them a good character."

The children said good-bye to their mother gaily enough: the ride in
the motor was sufficient excitement to smooth out any momentary dismay
at parting. Only Geoffrey sat up very straight, with his lips tightly
pressed together. He leaned from the window--Norah gripping his coat
anxiously.

"You'll be true-certain to come to-morrow, Mother?"

"I promise," she said. "Good-bye, old son."

"Mother always keeps her promises, so it's all right," he said,
leaning back with a little smile. Alison had no worries. She sang
"Hi, diddle, diddle!" loud and clear, as they rushed through the
crowded streets. When a block in the traffic came, people on 'buses
looked down, smiling involuntarily at the piping voice coming from the
recesses of the taxi. As for Michael, he sat on Norah's knee and
sucked his thumb in complete content.

Jones met them at the end of the little journey. His lips
involuntarily shaped themselves to a whistle of amazement as the party
filed out of the station, though to the credit of his training be it
recorded that no sound came. Geoffrey caught his breath with delight
at the sight of the brown cobs.

"Oh-h! Are they yours?"

"Yes--aren't they dears?" responded Norah.

The boy caught her hand.

"Oh--could I _possibly_ sit in front and look at them?"

Norah laughed.

"Could he, Jones? Would you take care of him?"

"'E'd be as safe as in a cradle, Miss Norah," said Jones delightedly.
"Come on up, sir, and I'll show you 'ow to drive." Mr. Linton swung