l
seated themselves, and tried to discuss the future in staid, responsible
fashion. The Captain expected to be quartered in England for the
immediate future, but could not of course be certain of his ultimate
movements. He proposed that he and Bridgie should look out for a
furnished house, so as to have a home of their own and yet be ready for
such changes as might arise.

Jack anxiously questioned Sylvia as to the responsibility which would be
hers, and she professed herself only too ready to sister the two dear
boys.

"And Pixie--I should love to have Pixie!" she cried, whereat Bridgie
frowned, and fidgeted restlessly on the sofa.

"We will make definite arrangements later on," she said. "Everything
cannot be decided at once. The boys will be quite enough trouble for
you, me dear! They are as good as gold, but they will grow, and their
clothes wear out so fast, and since we came to town they've taken a
distaste to patches, and they want money in their own pockets, the same
as the other boys they meet. `If I give you some shillings just to
jingle, and show they are there, will that satisfy you?' I asked Pat
only last week, and he laughed in my face! It's hard to say `No' when
they smile at you, Sylvia, but you'll have to do it."

"I--don't--know!" said Sylvia slowly. The others looked at her
questioningly, and she turned to Jack with a sparkling face. "I was
waiting for a chance of telling you. Mr Nisbet telegraphed to Ceylon
about father's death, and I've had a letter from his lawyers. It came
last night, and I'm rich, Jack! Isn't it lovely?--really quite rich!
The lawsuit was settled in his favour, and he was coming home to settle,
and now everything comes to me. I can help with the boys, and some day,
when you are ready, we can go back to Knock, and live in the old home
again! I've been so happy since I heard, thinking that at last I could
do something for you too. You are pleased about it, aren't you, Jack?
Do say you are pleased!"

Jack's beaming smile was the best answer to that question.

"'Deed, I'm delighted!" he declared. "I'll spend money with any man
alive, and the more there is, the better I'm pleased. We will stay
where we are and see the boys settled, and let Geoffrey enjoy his lease,
and then we'll go home, and I shall probably have some savings of my own
to add to yours by that time, and not feel I am living on my wife. I'm
thankful you have the money, and I'm thankful that I