It was Ronald, clad in pyjamas but unfailingly courteous, who invited her to enter.

“I knew it must be you, Mrs. Denys.  Come in!  Very pleased to see you.  Wait a second while I light a candle!”

He did so, and revealed Julian sitting up in bed with sullen defiance writ large upon his face.  But he smiled at sight of her, and patted the side of his bed invitingly.

“Don’t sit on the chair!  It’s untrustworthy.  It’s awfully decent of you to look us up like this,—­that is, if you haven’t come to preach.”

“I haven’t,” said Avery, accepting the invitation since she felt too weary to stand.

Julian nodded approval.  “That’s right.  I knew you were too much of a brick.  I’m awaiting my next swishing for upsetting my cup at breakfast in your defence, so I hardly think I deserve any pi-jaw from you, do I?”

“Oh, I’m not at all pi, I assure you,” Avery said.  “And if it was done for my sake, I’m quite grateful, though I wish you hadn’t.”

Julian grinned at her, and she proceeded.

“I don’t think you need wait any longer for the swishing.  Your father has decided, I understand, not to carry the matter any further.”

Julian opened his eyes wide.  “What?  You’ve been at him, have you?”

Avery smiled even while she sighed.

“Oh, I’m no good, Julian.  I only make things worse when I interfere.  No, it’s not due to me.  But, all the same, I hope and believe the trouble has blown over for the present.  Do—­do try and keep the peace in the future!”

Her weariness sounded in her voice; it quivered in spite of her.

Julian placed a quick, clammy hand on hers and squeezed it affectionately.

“Anything to oblige!” he promised generously.  “Here Ron!  Shy over those letters!  She wants something to cheer her up.”

“Letters!” Avery looked round sharply.  “I had forgotten my letters!” she said.

“Here they are!” Ronald came forward and placed them in her hand.  “I picked ’em up this morning, and then when you sent me off for the doc, I forgot all about ’em.  I’m sorry.  I only came across them when I was undressing, and you were busy in the mater’s room, so I thought I’d keep them safe till to-morrow.  I hope they are not important,” he added.

“I don’t suppose so,” said Avery; yet her heart jerked oddly as she slipped them into her dress.  “Thank you for taking care of them.  I must be going now.  You are going to be good?”

She looked at Julian, who, still feeling generous, thrust a rough, boyish arm about her neck and kissed her.

“You’re a trump!” he said.  “There!  Good-night!  I’ll be as meek as Moses in the morning.”

It was a definite promise, and Avery felt relieved.  She took leave of Ronald more ceremoniously.  His scrupulous politeness demanded it.  And then with feet that felt strangely light, considering her fatigue, she ran softly down again to Mrs. Lorimer’s room.