ur pile,
then we can do as we like about throwing it away in order to get
another. Meanwhile we will keep the land, while Mr. Selincourt
amuses himself by digging holes and flinging away money on the
other side of the river," said Miles, getting up from his chair and
yawning widely.

"Hear, hear!" echoed Phil, clapping his hands.

"Nellie, dear, it is the majority that decides, and you have lost,"
Katherine said, as she hustled the boys off to bed, and prepared to
retire herself.

"For my own part, as I said before, I'm not sorry to lose, and I do
feel as you do, that we have no right to dispose of Father's
property," Mrs. Burton said. Then she went on, her voice shaken by
real feeling: "But, Katherine, the life you have to lead just about
breaks my heart. You are the brightest and cleverest of us all,
and should have the best chance, instead of which you just have no
chance at all. Take to-day, for instance; we have all been out
enjoying ourselves, whilst you have been grubbing at home at work."

"It had to be either Miles or me," Katherine reminded her gently;
"and think how he enjoyed it. There are so many pleasures which
come my way that would not interest him at all, and that makes me
so thankful for a chance of giving him a treat like that of to-day."

"I don't mind going out with Miles, because his manners are decent,
and he is so quiet," said Mrs. Burton, "but I did not know where
to put my head for very shame when Phil threw that pail of water on
to Nick Jones."

"It was very foolish and silly, of course, and I expect Phil will
have to pay pretty dearly for his mischief. If only Nick will pay
him back in a manly fashion, without being cruel, I shan't care.
Boys learn wisdom quicker through having to bear the consequences
of their own actions, and it does not do for them to be too much
shielded. Did you have a pleasant time?"

"Yes; it was lovely. The captain and the officers were so polite
and nice, and the tea was very prettily done. Mary was there, of
course, and Mr. Ferrars. I heard a good bit of talk about them
too," Mrs. Burton said, with a happy little wag of her head. Her
own hope and joy in life having become so much a thing of the past,
made her much more interested in the concerns of others.

"What sort of talk?" asked Katherine. Of course she knew very well
what the answer would be, and that it would make her heart ache
worse than ever; but the situation had got to be faced, so