powdered quartz, tall
machinery, tall chimneys, with a town of tramways and offices and
wealthy people all struggling together for more wealth.

Yet in a few minutes one may leave all this behind, and drive along
tree-lined roads and avenues to where, probably amidst swaying firs, a
"stately home" of South Africa is picturesquely standing.

Mr. Pym's house was not of the largest, for he had never been
ostentatious of his wealth, and much of it was represented by large
tracts of land, where he generously experimented for the benefit of
the country. As with several rich South Africans, he had his stud farm
and his agricultural farm; and both were kept up to a very high
standard, without any particular consideration for profit and loss.
But his house in the Sachsenwald neighbourhood had more of charm and
comfort in it than display. The rooms were very high and airy and well
ventilated, with artistic colour effects which the girls had achieved,
and something of an Italian air about it.

Along one side, widening into an embrasure at the middle, where doors
from the drawing-room and dining-room stood open to it, ran a broad
tessellated terrace; and from the terrace one looked out over a
lovely garden, gorgeous with the flaming flowers of South Africa, yet
softened by velvety turf such as is seldom seen "over there," and can
only be attained by much consistent care and attention.

It was here the girls loved best to sit: Diana because the prospect
was fresh and breezy and wide, and, true to her namesake, she loved
the smell of the firs and the earth; Meryl because of those far blue
hills which made so fitting a background to the dreamland thoughts
that filled her mind; and, moreover, Aunt Emily did not particularly
love light and air, so she usually remained in her own sanctum, and
Diana was able to enjoy, not one cigarette, but two or three, after
each meal without the tiresome accompaniment of a disapproving eye.

They reached Johannesburg in the latter half of July, and those people
who had not already fled from the high winds and driving dust were
hurriedly preparing to do so. In consequence, few friends were there
to welcome them on their return, and their plans proceeded apace.
Diana had a smart khaki knickerbocker suit made, and a wonderful
broad-brimmed hat with a long feather to go with it. When they
laughingly told her she was not journeying to an uncivilised country,
and could not possibly wear such a garb in m