o ask certain uncomfortable
questions. "I expect Bunty would give my letter to Paul as soon as they
missed me. If not they'd find it in her pocket at bedtime. I wonder what
they said? No, I don't! I just want to forget all about it and go to
sleep."

Next morning, immediately after breakfast, Mrs. Morwood dispatched her
unexpected guest to Mrs Patterson, who, she considered, ought to take
charge of her. The Pattersons lived at Morton Common, a suburb on the
opposite side of the city, and Lesbia went there in the tram-car. She
had plenty of time for reflection upon the journey. After her experience
with the Morwoods she was rather doubtful about her reception. Mrs.
Morwood had plainly shown her strong disapproval, and Marion, though
she was quite kind, had been frankly embarrassed. Lesbia was beginning
to learn there was such a thing as "counting without one's host". She
walked very solemnly into the gate of 28 Park Road, and gave a timid
ring at the door bell.

Mrs. Patterson's amazement and condemnation were even more sweeping than
Mrs. Morwood's. Being a relation she could speak her mind freely.

"How _could_ you do such an absolutely idiotic thing, Lesbia? You've
forfeited your passage. Dear me! I hardly know what's to be done. Paul
and Minnie will be in such a state of mind about it!"

"I didn't want to go to Canada," sobbed Lesbia, whose tears were
painfully near the surface this morning; "you said it was a pity for me
to go, and you could have taken me in easily, so I came back."

Mrs. Patterson looked distinctly uncomfortable.

"I could have taken you if I had arranged it with Paul Hilton," she
replied. "But I never expected you to run away in this mad fashion.
Well, I suppose we must send a telegram and see what can be done. You've
no clothes except the few things in that case? Of course, they would all
be in your cabin trunk. The girls must lend you what they can."

When Mr. Patterson arrived home at lunch time he discussed the matter
with his wife, and dispatched a wireless message to the _Roumania_,
telling Mr. Hilton of his stepsister's whereabouts. He received the
reply: "Keep Lesbia. Writing." So there was nothing more to be done
until a letter could arrive.

Lesbia, as the guest of the Pattersons, began to learn a few facts about
life. Up till now she had been singularly childish in regard to money
matters, and had never troubled to think of the sources of food and
raiment. Paul and Minnie had pr