’Papa! papa!  Do you know an old friend of Miss Hall’s has called, that she has not seen for twenty years, and Morgan let him go away?’

’Wasn’t she glad, my dear?  It is so exciting to see people whose very faces you have forgotten.’

’Glad, papa?  Of course not.  He must just have come from Australia, where her sister is living, and I daresay has brought letters.  By the way, there was a packet near the card.’

‘I don’t understand people going so far away from their own country.’

’But, papa, Mr Jones—­this gentleman—­has gone to sleep at Mr Prothero’s, and I daresay they are not prepared for him.’

‘Really—­well, my dear?’

’Don’t you think you had better write and ask him here to dinner, and I will order a bed to be prepared?’

’Me!  My dear!—­a perfect stranger!—­a bore!  Some one full of tiresome adventures and travellers’ stories, and all that sort of thing.’

’He is a clergyman, papa, and a Welshman, I believe.  It would only be hospitable.  We must not belie our country.  Do write, papa.  Think how anxious Miss Hall must be to hear of her sister.’

‘But you say she has a packet of letters.’

’There is nothing like seeing a friend who has seen one’s sister, I should think.  Just one line of invitation!  We will amuse him.  He is very quiet, Miss Hall says.  Here is the paper and a new pen.  There’s a good pappy, and—­yes, “Presents his compliments”—­yes—­don’t forget the bed.  That’s right!  Now, just add, “that if he prefers not coming to-night, you hope he will make a point of spending the day here to-morrow."’

‘But I don’t hope it, my dear.’

‘We will amuse him.  Drive him out—­anything.  And perhaps he won’t come.’

‘Very well.  Remember that I am not expected to—­to—­’

’Nothing, but just to drive with him.  Thanks! you are a capital pater, and I will send this off immediately.  Just direct it, “——­ Jones, Esq., Glanyravon Farm.”  I wonder whether his name is David?  I hope not.  I don’t like David.’

’Freda carried the note to the butler herself, and told him to get it sent immediately, and to tell the messenger to wait for an answer; then she went with the parcel of letters to Miss Hall.

The note found Mr Jones, Mr Prothero, and Gladys comfortably established near a snug fire in the hall, at a well-spread tea-table.  Mr Jones asked for tea in preference to cwrw da, and he and Gladys were enjoying it, whilst Mr Prothero chose the good home-brewed.  Eggs and bacon, cold meat, and most tempting butter were upon the table, and Mrs Prothero was acting waitress and hostess at the same time.

Shanno appeared with the note, delicately held by the corner between her finger and thumb.

‘From the Park, missus, for the gentleman.’

‘Promise you me, before you open it, not to go there to-night,’ said Mr Prothero, taking the note.