d him away? Couldn't you give him another
chance?'

'No. He was impudent to me, and I can't allow that. He'll have to go.'

Richard spoke with decision. When the fact of impudence was disclosed
Adela felt that it was useless to plead. She looked at her fan and was
sorrowful.

'So you are going to read to the youngsters to-day?' Mutimer
recommenced.

'Yes; Mr. Wyvern has given me a book that will do very well indeed.'

'Oh, has he?' said Richard doubtfully. 'Is it a religious book? That
kind of thing won't do, you know.'

'No, it isn't religious at all. Only a book of fairy tales.'

'Fairy tales!' There was scorn in his way of repeating the words.
'Couldn't you find something useful? A history book, you know, or about
animals, or something of that kind. We mustn't encourage them in idle
reading. And that reminds me of Alice. You really must get her away from
those novels. I can't make out what's come to the girl. She seems to
be going off her head. Did you notice at lunch?--she didn't seem to
understand what I said to her. Do try and persuade her to practise, if
nothing else.'

'I am afraid to do more than just advise in a pleasant way,' said Adela.

'Well, I shall lose my temper with her before long.'

'How is Harry doing? 'Adela asked, to pass over the difficult subject.

'He's an idle scamp! If some one 'ud give him a good thrashing, that's
what _he_ wants.'

'Shall I ask him to dinner to-morrow?'

'You can if you like, of course,' Richard replied with hesitation. 'I
shouldn't have thought you cared much about having him.'

'Oh, I am always very glad to have him. I have meant to ask you to let
him dine with us oftener. I am so afraid he should think we neglect him,
and that would be sure to have a bad effect.'

Mutimer looked at her with satisfaction, and assented to her reasoning.

'But about the fairy tales,' Adela said presently, when Richard had
finished his cigar and was about to return to the works. 'Do you
seriously object to them? Of course I could find another book.'

'What do _you_ think? I am rather surprised that Wyvern suggested
reading of that kind; he generally has good ideas.'

'I fancy he wished to give the children a better kind of amusement,'
said Adela, with hesitation.

'A better kind, eh? Well, do as you like. I dare say it's no great
harm.'

'But if you really--'

'No, no; read the tales. I dare say they wouldn't listen to a better
book.'

It was not very encouraging