It was as if she had whispered, "The nerves of this angel have all
gone to pieces. We must humour the little sentimental simpleton."

CHAPTER XXI

JANE

"We've begun, ye see," said Susan Foley.

It was two minutes past five, and Miss Ingate and Audrey, followed by Nick
with her slung arm, entered the sheeted living-room. Tremendous feats had
been performed. All the Moncreiff and Ingate luggage, less than two hours
earlier lying at the Charing Cross Hotel, was now in two adjoining rooms on
the third floor of the great house in Paget Gardens. Drivers and loiterers
had assisted, under the strict and taciturn control of Susan Foley. Also
Nick, Miss Ingate, and Audrey had had a most intimate conversation, and the
two latter had changed their attire to suit the station of campers in a
palace.

"It's lovely to be quite free and independent," Audrey had said, and the
statement had been acclaimed.

Jane Foley was seated opposite her sister at the small table plainly set
for five. She rose vivaciously, and came forward with outstretched hand.
She wore a blue skirt and a white blouse and brown boots. She was
twenty-eight, but her rather small proportions and her plentiful golden,
fluffy hair made her seem about twenty. Her face was less homely than
Susan's, and more mobile. She smiled somewhat shyly, with an extraordinary
radiant cheerfulness. It was impossible for her to conceal the fact that
she was very good-natured and very happy. Finally, she limped.

"Susan _will_ have the meals prompt," she said, as they all sat down. "And
as Susan left home on purpose to look after me, of course she's the
mistress. As far as that goes, she always was."

Susan was spreading jam on a slice of bread-and-butter for the one-armed
Nick.

"I dare say you don't remember me playing the barrel organ all down Regent
Street that day, do you?" said Miss Ingate.

"Oh, yes; quite well. You were magnificent!" answered Jane, with blue eyes
sparkling.

"Well, though I only just saw you--I was so busy--I should remember you
anywhere, Miss Foley," said Miss Ingate.

"Do you notice any difference in her?" questioned Susan Foley harshly.

"N-o," said Miss Ingate. "Except, perhaps, she looks even younger."

"Didn't you notice she's lame?"

"Oh, well--yes, I did. But you didn't expect me to mention that, did you? I
thought your sister had just sprained her ankle, or something."

"No," said Susan. "It's for life. Tell them about it, Jenny.