imagine'--working himself up to nervous irritation--'being at the mercy
of some healthy, high-spirited young creature, who will insult me every
day with her overplus of pure animal enjoyment. The effect on me would
be crushing--absolutely crushing.'

'Audrey is very high-spirited, Michael, but I am sure she sympathises
with you as nicely as possible.'

'We were not speaking of Audrey, were we?' he replied, with a slight
change of expression. 'I think it is the Ross idiosyncrasy to wander
hopelessly from any given subject; I imagined that we were suggesting an
impossible wife for your humble servant. Far be it from me to deny
myself comfort in the shape of feminine cousins or friends.'

'Yes, of course; and Geraldine and Audrey are just like your sisters,
Michael.'

'Are they?' a little dryly. 'Well, as I never had a sister, I cannot be
a good judge; but from what other fellows tell me, I imagine Audrey
bullies me enough to be one. Anyhow, I take the brotherly prerogative of
bullying her in return.'

And with this remarkable statement the conversation dropped.

Captain Burnett spent half his time with his cousins, oscillating
between Woodcote and his lodgings in town. Dr. Ross wished him to live
with them entirely; he had a great respect and affection for his young
kinsman, and, as he often told his wife, Michael helped him in a hundred
ways.

'He has the clearest head and the best common-sense I ever knew in any
man. I would trust Mike's judgment before my own. Poor fellow! he has
gone through so much himself, that I think he sees deeper into things
than most people. It is wonderful what knowledge of character he has.
The boys always say there is no cheating the Captain.'

Michael owned himself grateful for his cousin's kindness, but he
declined to call Woodcote his home.

'I must have my own diggings,' was his answer--'a burrow where I can run
to earth when my pet fiend tries to have a fling at me. Seriously, there
are times when I am best alone--and, then, in town one sees one's
friends. For a sick man, or whatever you like to call me, my taste is
decidedly gregarious. "I would not shut me from my kind." Oh dear no!
There is no study so interesting as human nature, and I am avowedly a
student of anthropology; London is the place for a man with a hobby like
mine.'

Nevertheless, the chief part of Captain Burnett's time had been spent
latterly at Woodcote.

CHAPTER V

THE NEW MASTER

'We ag