“Boys with long red hair, and Highland dresses?” exclaimed Rosamond.  “Yes, the same we saw with Miss Vivian!”

“Exactly!” said Frank, eagerly.  “She is quite a mother to those poor little wretches; they watch for her at the Sirenwood gate, and she walks with them.  The boy’s cry was not for mother or nurse, but for Lena!”

“Pray, did she come at his call?”

“No; but when I carried the brat home, poor Duncombe told me almost with tears, how good she is to them.  I fancy he feels their mother’s neglect of them.”

“I’m sure I gave her credit for having none,” said Rosamond.

“Ah!” said Jenny, “you should have heard her condolences with my sister Mary on her last infliction.  Fancy Mary’s face!”

“No doubt it was to stem a torrent of nursery discussions,” said Cecil.  “Such bad taste!”

“Which?” murmured Rosamond under her breath, with an arched eyebrow.

“Plain enough,” said Frank:  “if a woman is a woman, the bad taste is to be ashamed of it.”

“Yes,” said Cecil, “that is the way with men; they would fain keep us down to the level of the nursery.”

“I thought nurseries were usually at the top of the house.”

“Perhaps,” said Mrs. Poynsett, disregarding this mischievous suggestion, “they mean that organization, like charity, should begin at home.”

“You say that meaningly,” said Rosamond.  “I have heard very odd stories of domestic affairs at Aucuba Villa, and that she can’t get a servant to stay there.”

“That man, Alexander, has always been there,” said Frank.

“Yes; but he has occasionally to do all the work of the house.  Yes, I can’t help it, Cecil, Susan will regale me with cook-stories sometimes; and I have heard of the whole establishment turning out on being required to eat funguses.”

“I shall beware of dining there!” said Rosamond.

“Don’t they dine here to-morrow?” asked Frank.

“No, they are engaged to the Moys,” said Cecil.

“But the Vivians come?”

“Oh yes.”

Every one knew that already; but Frank could not help having it repeated.  It was a mere formal necessity to ask them, and had been accepted as such; but there was some amazement when Cecil brought home Lady Tyrrell and Miss Vivian to lunch and spend the afternoon.  It might be intended as one of her demonstrations; for though it was understood that any of the inmates were free to bring home friends to luncheon, it was not done—­except with a casual gentleman—­ without notice to the mistress of the house.  Cecil, however, comported herself entirely as in that position, explaining that Lady Tyrrell was come to give her advice upon an intended fernery, and would perform her toilette here, so as to have plenty of time.  Frank, little knowing what was passing, was working the whole day at his tutor’s for the closely imminent examination; Julius and Raymond