She said slowly: "But that wouldn't matter, because if you told them to take in Millie at any time of the year they'd do it." "But the applications have to be written, setting forth the applicant's claims in the proper way," said the duke, falling yet more firmly back behind the safe barrier of red tape.

"The matter has to receive careful consideration." Pollyooly frowned thoughtfully: "Well, I could write.

There are people who would tell me what to write," she said in the sad tone of one confronted with an uncongenial task.

"Then you could consider Millie carefully.

I'm sure you couldn't find an orphan who's more--more of an orphan than Millie." "I'm afraid it wouldn't be any use--not at this time of year," said the duke almost cheerfully, as he saw that in an irreproachable fashion he was getting his own disobliging way.
Pollyooly filled with the bitter sense of defeat.