e except doctors and nurses." His face, that
lit up so completely when he smiled, relapsed into gloom.

"Well, you mustn't stand here," Norah said. "Please tell me if you'd
like dinner in your room, or if you'd rather come down." She had a
sudden vision of Mrs. West's shrill voice, and decided that she might
be tiring to this man with the gaunt, sad face.

Hardress hesitated.

"I think you'd better stay upstairs," said David Linton. "Just for
to-night--till you feel rested. I'll come and smoke a pipe with you
after dinner, if I may."

"I should like that awfully," said Hardress. "Well, if you're sure it
would not be too much trouble, Miss Linton----?"

"It's not a scrap of trouble," she said. "Allenby will show you the
way. See that Captain Hardress has a good fire, Allenby--and take
some papers and magazines up." She looked sadly after the tall figure
as it limped away. He was not much older than Jim, but his face held
a world of bitter experience.

"You mustn't let the Tired People make you unhappy, mate," said her
father. He put his arm round her as they went into the drawing-room
to await their guests. "Remember, they wouldn't be here if they
didn't need help of some sort."

"I won't be stupid," said Norah. "But he has such a sorry face, Dad,
when he doesn't smile."

"Then our job is to keep him smiling," said David Linton practically.

There came a high-pitched voice in the hall, and Mrs. West swept in,
her husband following at her heels. To Norah's inexperienced eyes,
she was more gorgeous than the Queen of Sheba, in a dress of sequins
that glittered and flashed with every movement. Sarah, who had
assisted in her toilette, reported to the kitchen that she didn't take
much stock in a dress that was moulting its sequins for all the world
like an old hen; but Norah saw no deficiencies, and was greatly
impressed by her guest's magnificence. She was also rather overcome
by her eloquence, which had the effect of making her feel speechless.
Not that that greatly mattered, as Mrs. West never noticed whether any
one else happened to speak or remain silent, so long as they did not
happen to drown her own voice.

"Such a lovely room!" she twittered. "_So_ comfortable. And I feel
sure there is an exquisite view. And a fire in one's bedroom--in
war-time! Dear me, I feel I ought to protest, only I haven't
sufficient moral courage; and those pine logs are _too_ delicious.
Perhaps you are burning