what she had done. "It is
the same dress," she said, throwing up her head with a jerk, as she did
when she was defiant. "Miss Temple gave it to my aunt, Mrs. Creddle,
and I'm wearing it because Aunt burnt a frock of mine."

"Lucky thing she did," said Wilson easily. "I can't quite see Mrs.
Creddle in this gown--at least, if she is the lady I have encountered
at Miss Wilson's."

"Ha! ha!" laughed Wilf, feeling he owed it to his own dignity to assert
himself and join in somehow, but finding a difficulty in beginning.

"Miss Temple didn't mean it to be worn. It was to make best frocks for
the little ones or something like that," said Caroline. "But I shan't
wear it again, so they'll have the benefit of it all the same."

"Well, I'm sure the original wearer would be delighted if she could see
you in it," said Wilson.

"Just what _I_ say," put in Wilf, seizing his chance. "Never saw
Carrie look better. She'll be immensely grateful to Miss Temple for
the loan of it, of course. Wonderful how the ladies can come to the
rescue of each other. Now, we men--it's a queer thing, Mr. Wilson,
when you come to think of it, but I don't suppose there's two pairs of
legs alike in this hall."

"No?" said Wilson interestedly. "Well, I believe you are right. It is
strange what things can be discovered about life by keeping one's eyes
open. I daresay you don't let much escape yours."

"Oh, I don't go about with them _shut_, of course," said Wilf modestly.
"But I'm like that. It's no credit to me. Always was from a kid."

Wilson glanced round, letting his gaze pass over the little party from
the new villas with whom he was fairly well acquainted, then he turned
to Wilf. "I don't seem to see many people I know here. I wonder if
you would mind my having a turn with Miss Creddle?" he said. "That is,
if she does not object."

"My name isn't Creddle; it's Raby," said Caroline.

"Oh, I don't mind. I'll console myself somehow just for one dance,"
said Wilf grandly, for he was feeling greatly flattered--first by being
regarded as Caroline's keeper, and also by the deferential attitude of
this older man who had reached the place in life where he would like to
be.

"Will you be so kind, Miss Raby?" said Wilson.

So Caroline, unable to refuse, allowed him to put his arm round her and
guide her out into the moving throng. After the first moment or two
when she was entirely engrossed in feeling annoyed with Wilf, she began