‘Certainly Aunt Jane,’ replied Lady Merrifield.  ’She must be the ultimate authority.  Of course you will check the younger ones in anything going wrong, as you would here, and very likely there will be more restrictions.  Aunt Ada has to be considered, and it will be a town life; but remember that your aunt is mistress of the house, and that even if you do think her arrangements uncalled for, it is your duty to help the others to submit cheerfully.  Say anything you please fully and freely in your letters to me, but don’t let there be any collisions of authority.  Jane will listen kindly, I know, in private to any representation you may like to make, but to say before the children, “Mamma always lets them,” would be most mischievous.’

‘I see,’ said Gillian.  ’Indeed, I will do my best, mamma, and it will not be for very long.’

’I hope and trust not, my dear child.  Perhaps we shall all meet by Easter—–­papa, and all; but you must not make too sure.  There may be delays.  Now I must see Halfpenny.  I cannot talk to you any more, my Gillyflower, though I am leaving volumes unsaid.

Gillian found Aunt Jane emerging from her room, and beset by her three future guests.

‘Aunt Jane, may we bring Quiz?’

‘And Rigdum Funnidos and Lady Rigdum?’

‘And Ruff and Ring?  They are the sweetest doves in the world.’

’Doves!  Oh, Mysie, they would drive your aunt Ada distracted, with coo-roo-roo at four o’clock in the morning, just as she goes off to sleep.’

‘The Rigdums make no noise but a dear little chirp,’ triumphantly exclaimed Valetta.

‘Do you mean the kittens?  We have a vacancy for one cat, you know.’

Oh yes, we want you to choose between Artaxerxes and the Sofy.  But the Rigdums are the eldest pair of guinea-pigs.  They are so fond of me, that I know poor old Funnidos will die of grief if I go away and leave him.’

’I sincerely hope not, Valetta, for, indeed, there is no place to put him in.’

’I don’t think he would mind living in the cellar if he only saw me once a day,’ piteously pleaded Valetta.

’Indeed, Val, the dark and damp would surely kill the poor thing, in spite of your attentions.  You must make up your mind to separation from your pets, excepting the kitten.’

Valetta burst out crying at this last drop that made the bucket overflow, but Fergus exclaimed:  ’Quiz!  Aunt Jane!  He always goes about with us, and always behaves like a gentleman, don’t you, Quizzy?’ and the little Maltese, who perfectly well understood that there was trouble in the air, sat straight up, crossed his paws, and looked touchingly wistful.

‘Poor dear little fellow!’ said Aunt Jane; ’yes, I knew he would be good, but Kunz would be horribly, jealous, you see; he is an only dog, and can’t bear to have his premises invaded.’

‘He ought to be taught better,’ said Fergus gravely.