up the
flute; I would tootle all the evening for his amusement." He sat for a
while gazing at the ceiling in deep reflection, then slapped his knee
ecstatically. "There's a fellow in the office who belongs to the London
Scottish and has a bigpipe. I say, wouldn't it make the Hermit sit up
if I borrowed it and practised reels! McGregor wouldn't lend it,
though. He is a stingy beast who will never do a fellow a good turn. I
have a score against him! Well, cheer up, Hope; I'll do my best to fill
your place while you're away. I'll find some way of keeping our friend
alive, or I'm mistaken."

"Barney dear--Barney!" murmured Philippa softly.

Barney smiled at her with indulgent tenderness. "Keep your hair on, old
lady!" he said encouragingly; and Philippa could only gasp and pant
beneath his bear-like hug, and declare that never--no, never--had she
met such an unmanageable, disrespectful, vulgar boy!

CHAPTER TEN.

THE SHANTY.

A week later Hope travelled down to Norfolk with the united fineries of
the family in her box, a mind stored with good advice from the stock of
worldly wisdom of her sisters, and a heart filled with mingled
expectation and foreboding. It was the first time in her life that she
had paid a visit on her own account, and she realised, with a shock of
surprise, what a child she remained in spite of her three-and-twenty
years, and how unlimited was her inexperience! Now that she was really
on her way and it was too late to turn back, she sat aghast at her
temerity in daring to face a houseful of strangers, and trembled at the
ordeal of appearing before them. She would arrive at the station at
half-past four; after that would follow a drive of, say, half-an-hour.
If she arrived at the house at five o'clock, would tea be over, or only
in progress? Would the men have returned from their day's sport? Would
many guests be present to whom she must be introduced, and who would all
want to know if she were tired, if the train had been punctual, if she
had had a comfortable journey? Would there be any girls in the party
besides herself? And if so, would they be very superior and
fashionable! Would Avice be friendly and affectionate, or too much
taken up with her duties to waste time on insignificant Hope
Charrington! All these and a thousand other questions occupied Hope's
busy brain till she reached the end of her journey.

Insignificant Hope Charrington looked, if the truth were told, a