all right."

"You look hideous in it," she said, her eyes still shut.

Archie, who is very docile, withdrew. A guilty silence reigned for some
moments. Then Dolly opened her eyes. "It was the suit," she said, with a
shudder. "Oh, how it all came back to me!"

"I could wish," I observed, taking my hat, "that it would all come back
to me."

"I wonder if you mean that!"

"As much as I ever did," said I earnestly.

"And that is--?

"Quite enough."

"How tiresome you are!" she said, turning away with a smile.

Outside I met Archie in another suit.

"A quick change, eh, my boy?" said he.

"It took just a week," I remarked absently.

Archie stared.

A SLIGHT MISTAKE

"I don't ask you for more than a guinea," said Mrs. Hilary, with a
parade of forbearance.

"It would be the same," I replied politely, "if you asked me for a
thousand;" with which I handed her half-a-crown. She held it in her open
hand, regarding it scornfully.

"Yes," I continued, taking a seat, "I feel that pecuniary gifts--"

"Half-a-crown!"

"Are you a poor substitute for personal service. May not I accompany you
to the ceremony?"

"I dare say you spent as much as this on wine with your lunch!"

"I was in a mad mood today," I answered apologetically. "What are they
taught at the school?"

"Above all, to be good girls," said Mrs. Hilary earnestly. "What are you
sneering at, Mr. Carter?"

"Nothing," said I hastily, and I added with a sigh, "I suppose it's all
right."

"I should like," said Mrs. Hilary meditatively, "if I had not other
duties, to dedicate my life to the service of girls."

"I should think twice about that, if I were you," said I, shaking my
head.

"By the way, Mr. Carter, I don't know if I've ever spoken unkindly of
Lady Mickleham. I hope not."

"Hope," said I, "is not yet taxed."

"If I have, I'm very sorry. She's been most kind in undertaking to give
away the prizes today. There must be some good in her."

"Oh, don't be hasty," I implored.

"I always wanted to think well of her."

"Ah! Now I never did."

"And Lord Mickleham is coming, too. He'll be most useful."

"That settles it," I exclaimed. "I may not be an earl, but I have a
perfect right to be useful. I'll go too."

"I wonder if you'll behave properly," said Mrs. Hilary doubtfully.

I held out a half-sovereign, three half-crowns, and a shilling.

"Oh, well, you may come, since Hilary can't," said Mrs. Hilary.

"You mean he won't," I