OTHER RELATIONS It is but natural to presume, after the foregoing, that the affairs of the Medcrofts were under close and careful scrutiny from that confidential hour.

The Odell-Carneys were conspicuously nice and agreeable to the Medcrofts and Miss Fowler.

It may be said, indeed, that Mr.Odell-Carney went considerably out of his way to be agreeable to Mrs.Medcroft; so much so, in fact, that she made it a point to have someone else with her whenever she seemed likely to be left alone with him.

The Rodneys struggled bravely and no doubt conscientiously to emulate the example set by the Odell-Carneys, but it was hardly to be expected that they could see new things through old-world eyes.

They grew very stiff and ceremonious,--that is, the Rodney ladies did.