ended from the table. She went over
to Jan and dropped a light kiss on the top of the thick wavy hair that
was so nearly white. Jan opened her tired eyes and smiled.

This quaint person in the green linen frock and big white apron always
looked so restfully neat and clean, so capable and strong with that
inward shining strength that burns with a steady light. Jan put her arms
round Meg and leaned her head against the admirable apron's cool, smooth
bib.

"You're here, anyway," she said. "You don't know how I thank God for
that."

Meg held her close. "Listen to me," she said. "You're going on quite a
wrong tack with that brother-in-law. You are, Jan--I grieve to say
it--standing between him and his children--you don't allow him to see
his children, especially his adored daughter, nearly enough. Now that he
is well enough to take the air with Mr. Withells I propose that we allow
him to _study_ his children--and how can he study them if they are never
left with him? Let him realise what it would be if he had them with him
constantly, and no interfering aunt to keep them in order--do you
understand, Jan? Have you tumbled to it? You are losing a perfectly
magnificent opportunity."

Jan pushed Meg a little away from her and looked up: "I believe there's
a good deal in what you say."

"There's everything in what I say. As long as the man was ill one
couldn't, of course, but now we can and will--eh, Jan?"

"Not Tony," Jan said nervously. "Hugo doesn't care much for Tony, and
I'm always afraid what he may say or do to the child."

"If you let him have them both occasionally he may discover that Tony
has his points."

"They're _both_ perfect darlings," Jan said resentfully. Meg laughed and
danced a two-step to the door.

"They're darlings that need a good deal of diplomatic managing, and if
they don't get it they'll raise Cain. I'm going to take them down to the
post-office directly with my Indian letters. Why not come with us for
the walk?"

* * * * *

Hugo quite enjoyed his run with Mr. Withells and Mr. Withells enjoyed
being consulted about Hugo's plans. He felt real sympathy for a young
man whose health, ruined by one bad station after another, had forced
him to give up his career in India. He suggested various ameliorating
treatments to Hugo, who received his advice with respectful gratitude,
and they arranged to drive again together on Saturday, which was next
day but one.

Hug