crush, and of course Reggie wanted us to be
in a good place, and we certainly were. Well, behind me there was a
big stout woman, and oh! how she leant on me--just on my shoulders! I
shall never forget the feel of it! At last I got perfectly tired of it
and I thought of a plan. She was stout and soft and broad, and I just
leant right back on her--on her chest. It was simply _restful_.
After a bit, of course, I stood up properly, when I had got over the
tiredness a little!"

"My dear Gertrude." Denys's laugh rang out involuntarily.

"She did not try that little dodge again," said Gertrude, laughing
too. "Denys, don't put on that horrid red blouse."

"But I've nothing else!" objected Denys.

"Nothing else! Why, there's that sweet white nun's veiling. I've
wanted 'the fellow to it,' as Grandma used to say when she did not
wish to covet her neighbour's goods, ever since you made it. Put that
on and astonish the natives and be done with it!"

Denys lifted out the white blouse obediently. It certainly suited her,
and her laugh at Gertrude had brought a colour into her cheeks. She
suddenly guessed that Gertrude had waked herself up on purpose to
amuse her and change her thoughts and she bent quickly over the pillow
and gave Gertrude's soft cheek a grateful sisterly kiss.

"Now shall I do?" she asked, straightening herself up.

"Ar," said Gertrude emphatically. "Now!" mimicking Denys's own tone,
"don't be late for breakfast, my dear."

And Denys ran downstairs smiling! Gertrude _had_ got pretty,
entertaining ways. It was no wonder people liked her.

Charlie was waiting for her in the hall.

"You look as bright as the morning," he said; "isn't it delicious to
be out so early?"

They strolled up and down the empty parade, enjoying themselves
immensely, though every now and then a sickening fear of what the
approaching breakfast hour might bring, swept over Denys. But she
determined to stick to Gertrude's advice and say nothing to anyone
unless positively obliged.

They turned homeward at last, and as they caught sight of the church
tower, Charlie said,

"What did you think of doing this morning?"

Denys's eyes looked eager, but she thought of Mrs. Henchman and the
two armchairs over the fire last night, and she hesitated to produce a
plan that would monopolise Charlie for herself.

"What would you like?" she said.

"Well, I thought that you and I, at any rate, would go to church
together this morning. The othe