a warning frown.

"Oh yes, we must arrange to meet again. I will look over our list.
Don't make any plans to-day, dear; you are so overdone with
engagements."

She rustled to the door, followed by her obedient spouse, who was
allowed no time to speak, but instead delivered himself of a succession
of mysterious nods and smiles, which left the girls in a state of amused
mystification. The explanation was, however, speedily forthcoming, for
ten minutes had not elapsed after the departure of the three when a
second bell sounded, and there stood Mr Loftus, erect and
self-confident, a man on his own account, with no overwhelming feminine
element to keep him in the background.

"Back again like a bad penny!" he cried jocosely. "Just a word to say
to you, my dears--a word in your ears. Put the ladies into the
carriage, and went on `to my club.' He, he! Useful things, clubs!
About that boy, now. Don't approve of your spending capital--never
approved of that, you know--but pleased to help you all the same.
Edgar's children. Yes! Ought to give you a lift. Fifteen--eh? Young
to leave school, but can't be helped, I suppose. Was speaking to Spence
the other day--most influential man--thinks he might take him in there.
Eh? Insurance office--huge place--hundreds of clerks. Spence is
manager. Always taking in new fellows. What do you think of that--eh?"

"Please sit down, uncle," said Philippa, greatly puzzled by the short,
jerky sentences; and, so far as she could judge of the proposal,
thinking about as badly of it as it was possible to do. "It is very
kind of you to remember Barney, and we are most anxious to find him an
opening, but I don't know that insurance--and such a number of clerks,
too! Would not a boy be likely to be lost among them, and drudge on
year after year without promotion?"

"In an ordinary way, yes; but this would be different. I'm on the
Board, you see--on the Board--chairman last year. Spence a personal
friend. Could help him on if he stuck to his work. Don't know the boy,
but if Spence took a fancy to him, there isn't a man in town who has
more in his power. Peculiar man, Spence! Difficult temper--autocratic;
but if he takes a fancy, there's nothing he won't do. Barney, now--what
kind of a boy is Barney?"

"All kinds," replied Philippa, smiling. She felt perfectly satisfied
that Mr Spence _would_ take a fancy to Barney, but whether that young
gentleman would "stick" to his work