ted to stay for the evening. He is at present
employed in helping Mr Neil to catalogue specimens for his microscope."

"Wh-at!" gasped Stephen incredulously, while Theo caught hold of her
sister by the shoulders and gave her an impatient shake. "Phil, be
sensible! Tell it properly. Begin at the moment when you knocked at
the door, and go right through to the end. Now then, begin!"

"We-ll," drawled Philippa comfortably, "I rang, and a boy came to the
door--I don't think there is a woman on the premises. Mr Neil heard our
voices, and came out to see what was wanted. He took us into his room,
which is all books and litter, and a great big microscope on a stand by
the window. Don't ask me what I said, for I don't know. I only
remember his face looking so startled and sorry. He is really very
nice-looking, you know; and he wears a velvet coat Barney behaved well.
He said, `I'm sorry, sir, if I have annoyed you. It was only a joke.'
And Mr Neil said, `All right, my boy, that is settled. We won't say
anything more about it. Are you interested in microscopes!' After that
we went over to the stand, and he explained what he was doing, and
showed us the workings. It was very exciting. Barney was in raptures,
and I was quite horrified to find how long we had stayed. He was as
nice and kind as he could be, and I believe it is the beginning of
peace. Oh, my dears, such dust! I longed for a brush and shovel. No
wonder he looks ill, living alone in that dreary place, with only a boy
to attend to him. I believe he is starved."

"He is a real good sort, anyway, to behave so well to that boy. I'll
call on him some night, and perhaps we can return his kindness by asking
him here occasionally. I am glad peace is settled, but I am not done
with Mr Barney yet. He must promise me to give up these foolish
tricks," said Stephen severely. He himself had never played a trick in
his life, and could not imagine wherein the fun lay.

When Barney came upstairs an hour later he was taken into the
dining-room and lectured in solemn, elder-brotherly fashion; and being
in the highest of spirits, obediently promised all that was desired.

"I sha'n't want to rag him any more, because, you see, we shall be
pals," he explained. "He wants me to go down whenever I feel inclined,
and that will be pretty often; because, though the girls are bricks, a
man does like another man to talk to sometimes. He's terrifically
clever! You sho