that for the last three
afternoons we've met that Captain Middleton in the Gardens."

"Well?"

"And he talks everlastingly about his dog--that William Bloomsbury
creature. I know _all_ the points of a bull-terrier now--'Well-set head
gradually tapering to muzzle, which is very powerful and well-filled up
in front of the eyes. Nose large and black. Teeth dead-level and big'
... oh! and reams more, every bit of him accurately described."

"I'm a little afraid of those teeth so 'dead-level and big'--I foresee
trouble."

"Oh, no," said Meg easily. "He's evidently a most affectionate brute.
That young man puzzles me. He's manifestly devoted to the dog, but he's
so sure he'd be stolen he'd rather have him away from him down at Wren's
End than here with him, to run that risk."

"Surely," said Jan, "Kensington Gardens are some distance from St.
John's Wood."

"So one would think, but the rich and idle take taxis, and he seems to
think he can in some way insure the welfare of his dog through the
children and me."

"And what about the old gentlemen? Do they join the party as well?"

"Oh, dear no; no old gentlemen would dare to come within miles of us
with that young man in charge of little Fay. He's like your Mr.
Ledgard--very protective."

"I like him for being anxious about his dog, but I'm not quite so sure
that I approve of the means he takes to insure its happiness."

"I didn't encourage him in the least, I assure you. I pointed out that
he most certainly ought not to be walking about with a nurse and two
children. That the children without the nurse would be all right, but
that my being there made the whole thing highly inexpedient, and _infra
dig_."

"Meg!... you didn't!"

"I did, indeed. There was no use mincing matters."

"And what did he say?"

"He said, 'Oh, that's all bindles'--whatever that may mean."

"You mustn't go to the Gardens alone any more. I'll come with you
to-morrow, or, better still, we'll all go to Kew if it's fine."

"I _should_ be glad, though I grudge the fares; but you needn't come. I
know how busy you are, with Hannah away and so much to see to--and what
earthly use am I if I can't look after the children without you?"

"You do look after the children without me for hours and hours on end. I
could never trust anyone else as I do you."

"I _am_ getting to manage them," Meg said proudly; "but just to-day I
must tell you--it was rather horrid--we came face to face with the
Tren