few months later there will be another concert--`first
appearance since her marriage'--and a year or two after that a second
farewell; but I want to make a big splash with this first one, and it
occurred to me the other day that you might help me." Her eyes wandered
round the room until they rested on Madge's thin face. "You are the one
I want. You designed that swell leaflet for your sister's
entertainment. Don't you think it would be a good chance for you to do
one for me now?"

Madge looked at her quizzically. The Charringtons had learned by this
time that, in spite of her beaming good-nature, Miss Caldecott was a
keen business woman, and that in dealing with her it was necessary to
look well after one's own interests.

"I am not certain that I can undertake any fresh orders just now; I am
so busy with my advertisements," Madge replied grandiloquently, glancing
at the table in the window on which lay the roll of the nursery frieze,
now approaching completion.

As she had expected, Miss Caldecott insisted upon seeing it, and went
into raptures over a spirited rendering of "Hi Diddle, Diddle." The cat
was evidently of Cheshire origin, to judge from its bland and benign
expression; the cow was in the act of drawing itself together for the
fateful leap, while the moon rolled apprehensive eyes towards it, and
the little dog clasped its fore-legs over its heart in an ecstasy of
amusement. In the distance a gentlemanly-looking dish was dragging a
swooning spoon in its wake. It was very funny, very clever, very
original; for Madge, like Theo, had been working at high pressure, and
had been inspired to do her best in the hope of paying off a part at
least of Barney's debts, and thereby giving a sop to her troubled
conscience.

"I am not quite sure who shall have it, Mason's or Fearing's," she said
languidly, mentioning the two largest West End furnishers, in reply to
Miss Caldecott's inquiry as to the destination of the design. "It
depends, of course, upon which makes the highest offer."

She turned her head cautiously to grimace at her sisters, and beheld the
Hermit wreathed in smiles, nodding encouragement, waving his hand as if
imploring her to keep it up. His delight, contrasted with the baffled
expression on Minnie's chubby face, proved almost too much, for Madge's
composure, but she busied herself with covering up the sketches, and
presently returned to her seat, and smiled with bland patronage upon her