"He might attempt to do so, but I shouldn't at all like it." He was moved immediately to dismiss this branch of the subject and, apparently to help himself, take up another.

"Do you mean she understands he has asked her down for a regular long stay ?" Mrs.Brook barely hesitated.

"She understands, I think, that what I expect of her is to make it as long as possible." Vanderbank laughed out--as it was even after ten years still possible to laugh--at the childlike innocence with which her voice could invest the hardest teachings of life; then with something a trifle nervous in the whole sound and manner he sprang up from his chair.

"What a blessing he is to us all!" "Yes, but think what we must be to HIM." "An immense interest, no doubt." He took a few aimless steps and, stooping over a basket of flowers, inhaled it with violence, almost buried his face.

"I dare say we ARE interesting." He had spoken rather vaguely, but Mrs.Brook knew exactly why.