o look across the street, in response to a
wave of the invalid's hand.

The porch-room was exactly opposite, and the three-sided windows did
indeed allow an extraordinarily clear view of the interior. The girls
had always believed themselves out of range of vision when they were
seated at the table; but at this moment Nan could distinctly discern
four anxious faces scanning the opposite house, catch Agatha's craning
movements, and Lilias's waving hands. The sight provoked an
irresistible chuckle of amusement, and Mr Vanburgh's eyes turned
towards her in wistful scrutiny.

"You seem very merry together, you young people. Life is full of
happiness to you!"

"Oh, we have our trials!" said Nan quickly. "We are awfully happy
together; but still, of course, it isn't all as we should wish. Each
one of us has a grievance, and could talk about it for hours at a time,
if we had a chance. Sometimes we have dreadful fits of dumps. Elsie
has them chronically, but the rest of us are up and down. I'm generally
up myself; but still, I have my moments!"

"I should think they are very rare! Would it be indiscreet to ask what
is your peculiar cross?"

Nan pondered with raised brows and an expression which grew more and
more uncertain.

"It's rather difficult to say straight off, isn't it? There _is_
something, I know, but I forget what it is. I am always making stupid
mistakes for one thing, and that is so awkward, now that I am supposed
to be grown up. I'm eighteen, so I ought to know better. I went out to
my first dinner-party this winter, and the most awful thing happened. A
stupid male creature took me in, with a collar about a foot high, and
such an affected drawl that I could hardly understand a word he said.
However, I talked away and tried to be pleasant. I have a habit of
waving my hands when I talk; we all have--perhaps you have noticed it!
I was telling a story, and came to a point where it seemed necessary to
lift my hand suddenly, to give emphasis to what I was saying. Well, I
did it, and at that crucial moment if the waiter didn't go and hand a
sauce-bowl over my partner's shoulder! My hand met the bowl, and ...
Maud was sitting opposite, and she said that never in all her life had
she seen anything so appalling! The bowl flew up in the air, turned a
somersault, and the sauce rained down in showers upon his knees! He had
his serviette spread open, of course, but still it was bad enough.
There was s