ather comes," said Geoffrey, his eyes dancing.
"You'll tell him, won't you, Mother?"

"Indeed I will," she said. "Now, off you go. Don't put the cart into
the ditch, Geoff!"

"Isn't you insulting," said her son loftily. "But womens don't
understand!" He elevated his nose--and then relented to fling her
kisses as the pony trotted off. Mrs. Hunt stood at the station
entrance to watch him for a moment--sitting very straight and stiff,
holding his whip at the precise angle taught by Jones. It was such a
heartsome sight that the incoming train took her by surprise, and she
had barely time to get her ticket and rush for a carriage.

Norah and her charges found so much to do in the village that when
they reached home it was time for Michael's morning sleep. Eva
brooked no interference with her right of tucking him up for this
period of peace, but graciously permitted Norah to inspect the process
and kiss the rosy cheek peeping from the blankets. Then Alison and
Geoffrey accompanied her to the house, and visited Miss de Lisle in
her kitchen, finding her by a curious chance, just removing from the
oven a batch of tiny cakes of bewildering attractions. Norah lost
them afterwards, and going to look for them, was guided by sound to
Allenby's pantry, where that most correct of butlers was found on his
hands and knees, being fiercely ridden by both his visitors, when it
was very pleasant to behold Allenby's frantic endeavours to get to his
feet before Norah should discover him, and yet to avoid upsetting his
riders. Then they called upon Mr. Linton in his study, but finding
him for once inaccessible, being submerged beneath accounts and
cheque-books, they fell back upon the billiard-room, where Harry
Trevor and Bob McGrath, his chum, welcomed them with open arms, and
romped with them until it was time for Norah to take them home to
dinner.

"Awful jolly kids," said Harry. "Why don't you keep them here for
lunch, Norah?"

"Eva would be terribly hurt," said Norah. "She always cooks
everything they like best when Mrs. Hunt is away--quite regardless of
their digestions."

"Well, can't they come back afterwards? Let's all go for a walk
somewhere."

"Oh, do!" pleaded Geoffrey. "Could we go to the river, Norah?"

"Yes, of course," said Norah. "Will it be too far for Alison,
though?"

"Not it--she walked there with Father when he was home last time. Do
let's."

"Then we must hurry," said Norah. "Come along, or