oel had nothing much to do
but attend to her baby, already well attended to by Nurse, and dream and
brood, and now and then cook an omelette or do some housework for the
sake of a gnawing conscience. Since Gratian and George were away in
hospital all day, she was very much alone. Several times in the evenings
Gratian tried to come at the core of her thoughts, Twice she flew the
kite of Leila. The first time Noel only answered: "Yes, she's a brick."
The second time, she said: "I don't want to think about her."

But, hardening her heart, Gratian went on: "Don't you think it's queer
we've never heard from Captain Fort since he came down?"

In her calmest voice Noel answered: "Why should we, after being told that
he wasn't liked?"

"Who told him that?"

"I told him, that Daddy didn't; but I expect Daddy said much worse
things." She gave a little laugh, then softly added: "Daddy's wonderful,
isn't he?"

"How?"

"The way he drives one to do the other thing. If he hadn't opposed my
marriage to Cyril, you know, that wouldn't have happened, it just made
all the difference. It stirred me up so fearfully." Gratian stared at
her, astonished that she could see herself so clearly. Towards the end of
August she had a letter from Fort.

"DEAR MRS. LAIRD, "You know all about things, of course, except the one
thing which to me is all important. I can't go on without knowing
whether I have a chance with your sister. It is against your father's
expressed wish that she should have anything to do with me, but I told
him that I could not and would not promise not to ask her. I get my
holiday at the end of this month, and am coming down to put it to the
touch. It means more to me than you can possibly imagine. "I am, dear
Mrs. Laird, "Your very faithful servant, "JAMES FORT."

She discussed the letter with George, whose advice was: "Answer it
politely, but say nothing; and nothing to Nollie. I think it would be a
very good thing. Of course it's a bit of a make-shift--twice her age;
but he's a genuine man, if not exactly brilliant."

Gratian answered almost sullenly: "I've always wanted the very best for
Nollie."

George screwed up his steel-coloured eyes, as he might have looked at one
on whom he had to operate. "Quite so," he said. "But you must remember,
Gracie, that out of the swan she was, Nollie has made herself into a lame
duck. Fifty per cent at least is off her value, socially. We must look
at things as th