, or run terrible risks of microbes in the
kitchen, horses falling ill, and eggs getting beautifully less. They are
without the remotest idea of sanitation for man or beast, and revel in
dirt if you let them, poor things! And honesty is not their strong
point; they have to be checked on all accounts, or they will sell
vegetables from your kitchen garden to your neighbours who have none; or
sell you your own hens' eggs, and do heaps of other iniquitous things
you could hardly dream of!" So Honor was carefully instructed in the
ways of housekeeping from the moment of her return to the East, and was
an able lieutenant to her mother.

"Besides, it is only right and proper, since, one of these days you will
have a house of your own and ought to know how to run it, or I pity the
unfortunate man you marry!" Mrs. Bright remarked when introducing her
daughter to further mysteries in the art of housekeeping. "Which puts me
in mind of Tommy Deare," she continued, eyeing Honor gravely. "What do
you mean to do with him?"

"I don't mean to do anything with him," laughed the girl.

"You know he is in love with you--any one can see that."

"I know, because he won't let me forget it," Honor said ruefully.

"Yet you are often about with him, riding and playing tennis--is it fair
to fan his hopes?"

"He knows perfectly how I feel towards him. Short of putting him in
Coventry I can do nothing less than I am doing."

"But the worst of it is that he keeps others off!" Mrs. Bright
exclaimed. "There's Jack Darling who lives with him--such a nice boy and
a very excellent suitor from every point of view----"

"He is not a suitor, by any means," interrupted her daughter.

"He might have been if his friend were not over head and ears in love
with you!"

"I should not have encouraged him. Jack does not appeal to me. He is
very dear and charming, but not the sort of man I should lose my heart
to. He is weak--and I love strength."

"But, dear, surely you are not favouring Tommy?--he will never be
anything great in our Service. You have the example of your own father
who has come to the end of his prospects on an income that would have
been hopelessly inadequate had there been boys to educate and start in
life! That's what our Service is worth! While Jack--!" words failed her
to express her estimation of the Indian Civil Service of which Jack was
a promising member.

"But dear Mother, I am not going to marry a Service!" laughed Honor.
"