ack. Just at that moment he was
looking with no very pleasant expression across at his little brother,
and yet there was something softer than usual in his cold, clear-cut
face. Janet Tosswill would have been touched and surprised indeed had
she known that it was the thought of herself that had brought that look
on Jack's face. Jack was twenty-one, but looked like a man of thirty--he
was so set, he knew so exactly what he wanted of life. As she looked at
him, she wondered doubtfully whether he would ever make that great career
his schoolmaster had so confidently predicted for him. He was so--so--she
could only find the word "conventional" to describe him.

Janet Tosswill passed over Dolly quickly. To-day Dolly looked a little
different from the others, for she was wearing a hat, and it was clear
that she had just come in from the village. Her step-mother noticed with
dissatisfaction that the over large brooch fastening Dolly's blouse was
set in awry, and that there were wisps of loose hair lying on her neck.

As for Rosamund, she looked ill-humoured, frankly bored to-day--but oh,
how pretty and dainty, next to the commonplace Dolly! Rosamund's gleaming
fair hair curled naturally all over her head; she had lovely,
startled-looking eyes which went oddly with a very determined, if
beautifully moulded, mouth and chin.

Betty was convinced that, given a chance, Rosamund would make a success
on the stage, but Betty was prejudiced. There had always been a curious
link of sympathy between the two sisters, utterly different as they were,
and many as were the years that separated them.

Tom was the only one of the flock who presented no problem. He was far
more human than Jack, but, like Jack, absolutely steady and dependable.

Janet Tosswill's mind swung back to Godfrey Radmore. She wondered how he
would like the changes in Old Place, whether they would affect him
pleasantly or otherwise. She was woman enough to regret sharply their
altered way of life. When Godfrey had lived in Old Place, there had been
a good cook, a capable parlourmaid, and a well-trained housemaid, as well
as a bright-faced "tweenie" there, and life had rolled along as if on
wheels. It was very different now.

She wondered if Betty or Timmy had told the others of Radmore's coming
visit. It was so strange, in a way, so painful to know that to most of
them, with the possible exception of Jack, he was only a name.

Suddenly Betty, turning around, saw her