l, and noticed two cups and plates.

"Yes," said the Professor, half shyly. "I got some water-cresses and
some fresh eggs. And that kind Mrs Winn sent me some trout this
morning. Mrs Cooper promised to come in presently and cook them."

Delia observed that the room had quite a holiday air of neatness. There
was no dust to be seen anywhere, and a special, high-backed arm-chair,
which was not in general use, was now drawn up to one side of the
tea-table.

"That was Prissy's chair," he continued, looking at it affectionately;
"she always sat there, and I thought I should like to see Anna in it."

"Oh, is Anna coming to tea with you?" exclaimed Delia. "I _am_ glad.
Is she coming alone?"

The Professor nodded. There was a faint pink flush of excitement on his
cheek. His hand trembled a little as he touched the bunch of mignonette
which he had put on the table.

"My flowers never do very well," he said, trying to speak in an off-hand
tone; "they don't get enough sun. And then, the other day I had to pour
my coffee out of the window, and I forgot that the border was just
underneath. I daresay it didn't agree with them."

"I suppose Mrs Cooper made it so badly that even you could not drink
it?" said Delia; "but it's certainly hard that she should poison your
flowers as well. Why don't you tell her about it?"

"Oh, she does her best, she does her best," said the Professor, quickly;
"I wouldn't hurt her feelings for the world."

"Well, she won't improve at that rate," said Delia; "it's a good thing
every one is not so patient as you are. Now"--surveying her
arrangements--"I think it all looks very nice, and as I go home I'll
call in at Mrs Cooper's and remind her about the fish. Perhaps I shall
have time to bring you a few more flowers before Anna comes."

Quite excited at the idea of the Professor's pleasure at having Anna all
to himself for a little while, she quickly performed her errands, and
finally left him in a state of complete preparation, with roses upon his
table, and the trout cooking in the kitchen; he himself, stationed at
the window, meanwhile pulling his watch out of his pocket every two or
three minutes to see if it were time for his guest to arrive.

During the week which followed, Delia thought more kindly of Anna than
she had done for some time past. Perhaps, after all, she had judged her
too hastily; perhaps she had been hard and unjust; very likely this
meeting would be the beginning