Darsie, for as we have all done some of the hiding, it wouldn't be fair
to us to go about in pairs. There are piles of presents, and your eyes
are so sharp that you are sure to find two or three. You mustn't open
them on the spot, but bring them up to the cedar lawn, where mother will
be waiting with the old fogies who are too old to run about, but who
would like to see the fun of opening. I _do hope_ I find the right
thing! There's the sweetest oxydised buckle with a cairngorm in the
centre that would be the making of my grey dress. I have set my heart
upon it, but I haven't the least notion where it's stowed. It may even
have been among my own parcels, and of course I can't go near those..."

"If I get it, we'll swop! I wish I knew the garden better. I don't
know of _one_ good hiding-place except those I made myself... Perhaps I
shan't find anything at all."

"Oh, nonsense! Keep your eyes open and poke about with your feet and
hands, and you can't go wrong. The paper's just a shade lighter than
the grass. Remember!"

Noreen flew off again to move a chair for an old lady who wished to
escape the rays of the sun, and once more Darsie was left to her own
resources. By her side Lady Hayes was deep in conversation with another
old lady on the well-worn subject of a forthcoming agricultural show,
and the town-bred visitor, failing to take an intelligent interest in
prize carrots and potatoes, turned her attention to the group on the
right, where Ralph Percival was making himself agreeable to three
fashionable-looking girls of about her own age.

He wore an immaculate grey suit and a Panama hat, and regarding him
critically, Darsie felt another shock of surprise at being compelled to
admire a _man_! Hitherto she had regarded the race as useful,
intelligent creatures, strictly utilitarian in looks, as in attire, but
to-day it was impossible to deny that the beauty was on Ralph's side
more than on that of his companions. The poise of the tall, slim figure
was so graceful and easy that it was a pleasure to behold; the perfect
lines of aquiline nose, and dented chin, the little kink and wave which
refused to be banished from the clipped hair, the long narrow eyes, and
well-shaped lips made up a whole which was quite startlingly handsome
and attractive. The three girls looked back at him with undisguised
admiration and vied with one another in animated conversation, in return
for which he drawled out slow rep