So after she had finished her tea, she beckoned to her son, and he unwillingly got up and followed her into the drawing-room.

But before he could settle down at his own special table Betty came in.
"Janet, I want to ask you something before I go into the village.

There are one or two things we must get in, if Mrs.Crofton is coming this evening--" The little boy did not wait to hear his mother's answer.

He crept very quietly out of the open window, which was close to his table, and then made his way round to the first of the long French windows of the dining-room.

He was just in time to hear his brother Tom ask in a very solemn tone: "I say, you fellows! Wasn't Betty once engaged to this Radmore chap ?" Timmy, skilfully ensconced behind the full old green damask curtains, listened, with all his ears, for the answer.
"Yes," said Jack at last, with a touch of reluctance.