and much interruption.  Of mamma there was really least of all; but squeezed into a corner, scarcely legible, Gillian read, ‘As to lessons, if At.  J. approves.’  It was evidently an afterthought; and Gillian could, and chose to refer it to a certain inquiry about learning the violin, which had never been answered—–­for the confusion that reigned at Columbo was plainly unfavourable to attending to minute details in home letters.

The longest portions of the despatch were papa’s, since he was still unable to move about.  He wrote:—–­’Our two “young men” think it probable you will have invitations from their kith and kin.  If this comes to pass, you had better accept them, though you will not like to break up the Christmas party at Beechcroft Court.’

There being no Christmas party at Beechcroft Court, Gillian, in spite of her distaste to new people, was not altogether sorry to receive a couple of notes by the same post, the first enclosed in the second, both forwarded from thence.

                                           ’VALE LESTON PRIORY,
                                             ’9th December.

’MY DEAR MISS MERRIFIELD—–­We are very anxious to make acquaintance

with my brother Bernard’s new belongings, since we cannot greet our new sister Phyllis ourselves.  We always have a family gathering at Christmas between this house and the Vicarage, and we much hope that you and your brother will join it.  Could you not meet my sister, Mrs. Grinstead, in London, and travel down with her on the 23rd?  I am sending this note to her, as I think she has some such proposal to make.—–­Yours very sincerely,
                                           ‘WILMET U. HAREWOOD.’

The other letter was thus—–­

’BROMPTON, 10th December.

’MY DEAR GILLIAN—–­It is more natural to call you thus, as you are becoming a sort of relation—–­very unwillingly, I dare say—–­for “in this storm I too have lost a brother.”  However, we will make the best of it, and please don’t hate us more than you can help.  Since your own home is dispersed for the present, it seems less outrageous to ask you to spend a Christmas Day among new people, and I hope we may make you feel at home with us, and that you will enjoy our beautiful church at Vale Leston.  We are so many that we may be less alarming if you take us by driblets, so perhaps it will be the best way if you will come up to us on the 18th or 19th, and go down with us on the 23rd.  You will find no one with us but my nephew—–­almost son—–­Gerald Underwood, and my niece, Anna Vanderkist, who will be delighted to make friends with your brother Jasper, who might perhaps meet you here.  You must tell me all about Phyllis, and what she would like best for her Cingalese home.—–­Yours affectionately,

GERALDINE GRINSTEAD.

Thus then affairs shaped themselves.  Gillian was to take Fergus to London, where Jasper would meet them at the station, and put the little boy into the train for Coalham, whither his brother Wilfred had preceded him by a day or two.