r world; big gateways stood at either end, and what Vie Vernon
grandiloquently spoke of as "a carriage sweep" curved broadly between.
Divided accurately among the houses in the terrace, the space of ground
apportioned to each was limited to a few square yards, but the Vernons
were chronically superior on the subject of "the grounds," and in
springtime when three hawthorns, a lilac, and one spindly laburnum-tree
struggled into bloom, their airs were beyond endurance.

The Vernons had also a second claim to superiority over the Garnetts,
inasmuch as they were the proud possessors of an elder brother, a remote
and learned person who gained scholarships, and was going to be Prime
Minister when he was grown up. Dan at eighteen, coaching with a tutor
preparatory to going up to Cambridge, was removed by continents of
superiority from day-school juniors. Occasionally in their disguise of
the deadly jealousy which in truth consumed them, the Garnett family
endeavoured to make light of the personality of this envied person. To
begin with, his name! "Dan" was well enough. "Dan" sounded a boy-like
boy, a manly man; of a "Dan" much might be expected in the way of sport
and mischief, but--oh, my goodness--_Daniel_! The Garnetts discussed
the cognomen over the play-room fire.

"It must be so _embarrassing_ to have a Bible name!" Lavender opined.
"Think of church! When they read about me I should be covered with
confusion, and imagine that every one was staring at our pew!"

Clemence stared thoughtfully into space. "I, Clemence, take thee
Daniel," she recited slowly, and shuddered. "No--really, I couldn't!"

"He wouldn't have you!" the three boys piped; even Tim, who plainly was
talking of matters he could not understand, added his note to the
chorus, but Darsie cocked her little head, and added eagerly--

"Couldn't you, really? What _could_ you, do you think?"

Clemence stared again, more rapt than ever.

"Lancelot, perhaps," she opined, "or Sigismund. Everard's nice too, or
Ronald or Guy--"

"Bah! Sugary. _I_ couldn't! Daniel is _ugly_," Darsie admitted, "but
it's strong. Dan Vernon will fight lions like the Bible one; they'll
roar about him, and his enemies will cast him in, but they'll not manage
to kill him. He'll trample them under foot, and leave them behind, like
milestones on the road." Darsie was nothing if not inaccurate, but in
the bosom of one's own family romantic flights are not allowed to atone