Miss Erroll, do you want a second-hand sword?
Of course there are great dents in it--" "I'd rather have those celebrated boots," she replied demurely; and Mr.
Lansing groaned.
"How tall you're growing, Drina," remarked Selwyn.
"Probably the early spring weather," added Boots.

"You're twelve, aren't you ?" "Thirteen," said Drina gravely.
"Almost time to elope with me," nodded Boots.
"I'll do it now," she said--"as soon as my new gowns are made--if you'll take me to Manila.

Will you?
I believe my Aunt Alixe is there--" She caught Eileen's eye and stopped short.

"I forgot," she murmured; "I beg your pardon, Uncle Philip--" Boots was talking very fast and laughing a great deal; Eileen's plate claimed her undivided attention; Selwyn quietly finished his claret; the child looked at them all.
"By the way," said Boots abruptly, "what's the matter with Gerald?
He came in before noon looking very seedy--" Selwyn glanced up quietly.
"Wasn't he at the office ?" asked Eileen anxiously.
"Oh, yes," replied Selwyn; "he felt a trifle under the weather, so I sent him home." "Is it the grippe ?" "N-no, I believe not--" "Do you think he had better have a doctor?
Where is he ?" "He was here," observed Drina composedly, "and father was angry with him." "What ?" exclaimed Eileen.

"When ?" "This morning, before father went downtown." Both Selwyn and Lansing cut in coolly, dismissing the matter with a careless word or two; and coffee was served--cambric tea in Drina's case.
"Come on," said Boots, slipping a bride-rose into Drina's curls; "I'm ready for confidences." "Confidences" had become an established custom with Drina and Boots; it meant that every time they saw one another they were pledged to tell each other everything that had occurred in their lives since their last meeting.
So Drina, excitedly requesting to be excused, jumped up and, taking Lansing's hand in hers, led him to a sofa in a distant corner, where they immediately installed themselves and began an earnest and whispered exchange of confidences, punctuated by little whirlwinds of laughter from the child.
Eileen settled deeper among her pillows as the table was removed, and Selwyn drew his chair forward.
"Suppose," she said, looking thoughtfully at him, "that you and I make a vow to exchange confidences?
Shall we, Captain Selwyn ?" "Good heavens," he protested; "I--confess to _you_! You'd faint dead away, Eileen." "Perhaps.