. Orban said nothing, but looked very grave.

These few words, however, could only shadow the great excitement a
moment. Mrs. Orban returned to her letter, and read interesting
little scraps from time to time, such as "'I am cudgelling my
brains in the hurry to think of everything I can send you--it is
such a grand opportunity--I wish I had time to get a list of wants
from you--but I dare say nothing will come amiss. Frocks for the
girls and yourself, of course--'"

"Darling gran!" cried Nesta.

"Then I needn't get the duster stuff," said Mr. Orban.

"No, none of the clothes," said Mrs. Orban. "I know what grannie is
when she gets a chance to send a box."

Nesta and Peter went off in high spirits with Bob later in the day,
Nesta exacting many promises that should Aunt Dorothy by some
miracle appear before she was expected, Mrs. Orban would send for
the children back.

Eustace let the party go without a pang; he was actually glad not
to be going. So taken up was he with the new idea that he even
forgot his fear lest he had made a bad impression on the great Bob.

There was so much to be thought of in the preparations for Miss
Chase's arrival that even Mr. Orban's departure two mornings later
left no one depressed. Up to the last Mrs. Orban was wondering
whether there was anything she could think of that could be brought
from Brisbane for their visitor's greater comfort.

"She will be used to such a different life," Mrs. Orban said. "I do
hope she won't mind roughing it."

"Not she," said Mr. Orban heartily. "She will like it all the
better if we make no changes for her, but just let her see life as
we live it. After all, it is only for a time with her."

* * * * *

"Well, my darling old man," said Mrs. Orban gaily that evening, as
she and Eustace sat alone at late dinner, "how does it feel to be
'man of the house'? Do you feel a great burden of responsibility as
mummie's guardian and protector?"

"I don't know, mummie," said Eustace.

He was looking very grave, for now that the lamps were lighted and
it was dusk outside everything felt different again.

The veranda ran round the entire house; only on one side was there
a flight of steps down to the ground. The drawing-room opened out
on to the other side of the house, facing the sea. It was here Mrs.
Orban and Eustace went after dinner, for the day had been
exhaustingly hot, and now a slight breeze blew landwards.

But f