and they tennised;
and they sat on gates in the twilight, two by two, and Georgie found
that he was not in the least necessary to their entertainment.

"My word!" said he, when he saw the last of their dear backs. "They told
me they've enjoyed 'emselves, but they haven't done half the things they
said they would."

"I know they've enjoyed themselves--immensely," said the mother. "You're
a public benefactor, dear."

"Now we can be quiet again, can't we?"

"Oh, quite. I've a very dear friend of mine that I want you to know. She
couldn't come with the house so full, because she's an invalid, and she
was away when you first came. She's a Mrs. Lacy."

"Lacy! I don't remember the name about here."

"No; they came after you went to India--from Oxford. Her husband died
there, and she lost some money, I believe. They bought The Firs on the
Bassett Road. She's a very sweet woman, and we're very fond of them
both."

"She's a widow, didn't you say?"

"She has a daughter. Surely I said so, dear?"

"Does she fall into trout-ponds, and gas and giggle, and 'Oh, Major
Cottah!' and all that sort of thing?"

"No, indeed. She's a very quiet girl, and very musical. She always came
over here with her music-books--composing, you know; and she generally
works all day, so you won't--"

"'Talking about Miriam?" said the pater, coming up. The mother edged
toward him within elbow-reach. There was no finesse about Georgie's
father. "Oh, Miriam's a dear girl. Plays beautifully. Rides beautifully,
too. She's a regular pet of the household. Used to call me--" The elbow
went home, and ignorant but obedient always, the pater shut himself off.

"What used she to call you, sir?"

"All sorts of pet names. I'm very fond of Miriam."

"Sounds Jewish--Miriam."

"Jew! You'll be calling yourself a Jew next. She's one of the
Herefordshire Lacys. When her aunt dies--" Again the elbow.

"Oh, you won't see anything of her, Georgie. She's busy with her music
or her mother all day. Besides, you're going up to town tomorrow, aren't
you? I thought you said something about an Institute meeting?" The
mother spoke.

"Go up to town now! What nonsense!" Once more the pater was shut off.

"I had some idea of it, but I'm not quite sure," said the son of the
house. Why did the mother try to get him away because a musical girl and
her invalid parent were expected? He did not approve of unknown females
calling his father pet names. He would observe these p