re now in the kind of annex or wing which had been
added some fifty years after the original mansion had been built. The
lower floor of this annex consisted of one big room which, even in the
days of Radmore's first acquaintance with the Tosswills, was only used in
warm weather. Above it were two good bedrooms--the one still called
"George's room," over-looked the garden, and had a charming view of
bracken-covered hill beyond.

Timmy opened the door with a flourish, and Radmore saw at once that only
one of the two beds was made up; otherwise the room was exactly the same,
with this one great outstanding difference--that it had a curiously
unlived-in look. The dark green linoleum on the floor appeared a thought
more worn, the old rug before the fireplace a thought more shabby--still,
how well things lasted, in the old country!

He walked across to one of the windows, and the sight of the garden below
now in its full autumn beauty, seemed to bring Janet Tosswill vividly
before him.

"Your mother as great a gardener as ever?" he asked, without turning
round, and Timmy said eagerly:--"I should think she is! And we're going
to sell our flowers and vegetables. _We_ shall get the money now; the Red
Cross got it during the war."

As his godfather remained silent, the boy went on insistently:--"Fifteen
shillings a week clear profit is L40 a year, and Mum thinks it will come
to more than that."

Radmore turned round.

"I wonder if any of you have yet met a lady who's just come to live
here--Mrs. Crofton?"

"Oh, yes, we've met her; in fact she's been to supper." Timmy spoke
without enthusiasm, but Radmore did not notice that.

"I was wondering if you and I could go round and see her between now and
dinner?"

"I _think_ I could." There was a doubtful touch in Timmy's voice. He knew
quite well he ought to stay and help his sister to wash up the tea-things
and do certain other little jobs, but he also knew that if he asked Betty
to let him off, she would.

"I shan't be a minute," he exclaimed, and a moment later Radmore heard
the little feet pattering down the carpetless back stairs, and then
scampering up again.

Timmy ran in breathlessly. "It's all right!" he exclaimed, "I can go
with you--Mrs. Crofton has got The Trellis House--I'll show you the way
there."

"Show me the way there?" repeated Radmore. "Why, I knew The Trellis House
from garret to cellar before you were born, young man."

In the hall Timmy gave a q