said the Boy. "Does the
Professor stay to tea?"

"Thank goodness no, sir. We draw the line at that, 'cept when Miss
_H_ann comes too."

"Who is Miss _H_ann?"

"She's the Professor's sister." Martha hesitated; poured hot water
into the silver teapot; then turned to whisper confidentially, with
concentrated dislike: "She's always a-_h_egging of 'em on!"

"What a curious occupation," remarked the Boy, blowing a smoke-ring.
"Does Miss _H_ann come often?"

"No, Mr. Guy. Thanks be, she's a _h_invalid."

"Poor Miss _H_ann. What's the matter with her?"

Martha snorted. "Fancies herself too much."

"What a curious complaint. What are the symptoms?"

"Fancies herself in a bath-chair," said Martha, scornfully.

"I see," said the Boy. "Oh, poor Miss _H_ann! I should feel very sick
if I fancied myself in a bath-chair. I wish I could meet Miss _H_ann.
I should like to talk to her about the _h_egging-on business."

"_You'd_ make her sit up," said Martha, with spiteful enjoyment.

"Oh no, I shouldn't," said the Boy. "That would not be kind to an
invalid. I should see that she reclined, comfortably; and then I
should jolly well flatten her out."

At that moment a shadow fell across the sunny window. Miss Charteris,
her guest having departed, passed down the garden steps, and moved
across the lawn.

The Boy sprang to his feet. At sight of her, his conscience smote him
that he should have thus gossiped and chaffed with old Martha. He
suddenly remembered why he had originally found his way to the kitchen.

"Martha," he said; "I want you to let me carry out the tea-tray this
afternoon. She doesn't know I am here. She will think it is you or
Jenkins, till she looks round. Let me carry it out, Martha, there's a
duck!"

"As you please, sir," said Martha; "but if you want her to think it's
Jenkins, you must put it down with a clatter. It takes a man to be
clumsy."

The Boy walked over to the window. The mulberry-tree was not visible
from the kitchen table.

"Don't go there, Mr. Guy!" cried Martha. "Miss Christobel will see
you, sir. This window, and the pantry, show from the garden. If you
want to 'ave a look at her, go through that door into the storeroom.
The Venetian blind is always down in there. There is one crack through
which I----"

Martha stopped short, disconcerted.

"One crack through which you think I could see? Thank you, Martha,"
said the Boy, readily. "Hurry up with the tray."