e grip of the
arms, the feel of the rough cheek against her own. For a few minutes
neither spoke, too utterly, completely absorbed in each other's
presence. To Claire, as to Erskine, a four months' delay seemed an aeon
of time through which to wade before the consummation of a perfect
happiness, but it seemed impossible that it could be avoided.

"Miss Farnborough would never let me off. She would be indignant with
me for asking."

"I'll tackle Miss Farnborough. Leave Miss Farnborough to me!" returned
Erskine with so confident an air that Claire shook with amusement,
seeing before her a picture of her lover seated _tete-a-tete_ with the
formidable "Head," breaking to her the news that one of her staff
intended to play truant.

"It's very easy to say that. You don't know her. She thinks everything
in the world comes second to education."

"What if she does? I'll agree with her. You're the most precious
darling in all the world, but you can't honestly believe that there
aren't a thousand other mistresses who could teach those flappers as
well, or better! Whereas for _me_--well! it's Claire, or no one. I'll
throw myself on the good lady's tender mercies, and ask for your release
as a favour to myself, and I bet you anything you like that I succeed.
Miss Farnborough was a woman before she was a school-mistress. She'll
set you free all right!"

"Perhaps--perhaps possibly at the half term."

"Rubbish--the half term! We'll be married and settled down before we
get near then... Where will you go for our marriage, Claire? To Mrs
Willoughby? I'm sure she'd be willing."

"No!--no!" Claire marvelled at the obtuseness of men; at the utter
unconsciousness of this particular man of the reason why Mrs
Willoughby's house should be the last one on earth from which his
marriage should take place. And then in the midst of these
questionings, to her own surprise a sudden pricking of tears came to her
eyes, and she cried sharply, "I want mother! I must have mother. She
must come home. She'll come at once, when she hears--"

"We'll cable to-day. That will be best of all. I'm longing to meet
your mother, and you ought to have her with you, little lass! Poor,
little, lonely lass! Please God, you shall never be lonely any more."

"Ah, Erskine darling, but the _other women_!" Claire cried, and there
was the sharpness of pain in her voice.

From within the shelter of her lover's arms her heart went out in a wav