’Children, we hear every word you say, and are shocked at your impertinence and bad taste!’

There was a scatter.  Wilfred and Valetta, who had been pinioning Gillian on either side by her dress, released her, and fled into the laurels that veiled the guinea-pigs; but their father’s long strides pursued them, and he gravely said—–­

‘I am very sorry to find this is your style of so-called wit!’

‘It was only chaff,’ said Valetta, the boldest in right of her girlhood.

’Very improper chaff!  I am the last person to object to harmless merriment; but you are both old enough to know that on these subjects such merriment is not harmless.’

‘Everybody does it,’ whined Valetta, beginning one of her crying fits.

’I am sorry you have been among people who have led you to think so.  No nicely-minded girl will do so, nor any brother who wishes to see his sisters refined, right-feeling women.  Go in, Valetta—–­I can’t suffer this howling!  Go, I say!  Your mother will talk to you.  Now, Wilfred, do you wish to see your sisters like your mother?’

‘They’ll never be that, if they live to a hundred!’

’Do not you hinder it, then; and never let that insulting nickname pass your lips again.’

Wilfred’s defence as to universal use in the family was inaudible, and he was allowed to slouch away.

Gillian had fled to her mother, entreating her to explain to her father that such jests were abhorrent to her.

’But you know, mamma, if I was cross and dignified, Wilfred would enjoy it all the more, and be ten times worse.’

’Quite true, my dear.  Papa will understand; but we are sorry to hear that nickname.

’It was an old Royal Wardour name, mamma.  Harry and Claude both used it, and—–­oh, lots of the young officers!’

‘That does not make it more becoming in you.’

’N—–­no.  But oh, mamma, he was very kind to-day!  But I do wish it had been anybody else!’

And her colour rose so as to startle her mother.

’Why, my dear, I thought you would have been glad that a stranger did not find you in that plight!’

’But it makes it all the worse.  He does beset us, mamma; and it is hard on me, after all the other nonsense!’

Lady Merrifield burst out laughing.

‘My dear child, he thinks as much of you as of old Halfpenny!’

‘Oh, mamma, are you sure?’ said Gillian, still hiding her face.  ’It was not silliness of my own; but Kitty Varley told Val that everybody said it—–­her sister, and Miss Mohun, and all.  Why can’t he go away, and not be always bothering about this horrid place with nothing to do?’

‘How thankful I shall be to have you all safe at Clipston!’

‘But, mamma, can’t you keep him off us?’

Valetta’s sobbing entrance here prevented more; but while explaining to her the causes of her father’s displeasure, her mother extracted a good deal more of the gossip, to which she finally returned answer—–­