, what are your plans,
Margaret?"

"Why, I have made none so far," I stammered, wishing with all my heart
that I had made some definite plan for Dicky's birthday. I could see
from my mother-in-law's manner that she had some cherished scheme in
mind, and my prophetic soul told me that it would be something which I
would not particularly like.

"Good," she returned. "Then I shall not be interfering with any plan
of yours. I have already written to Elizabeth asking them to come out
here for a week's visit. This is an awful shack, of course, but it
is the country, and the children will enjoy the woods and brooks and
fields, even if it is cold."

Dicky turned to her abruptly, his brow stormy, his eyes flashing.

"Mother, do you mean to say that you have already written to Elizabeth
without first consulting Madge as to whether it would be convenient?"

I trod heavily on his toes under the table in the vain hope that I
would be able to stop him from saying the words which I knew would
inflame his mother's temper. Failing in that, I hastened to throw a
sentence or two of my own into the breach in the desire to prevent
further hostilities.

"Dicky, stop talking nonsense!" I said sharply. "I am sure Mother
Graham," turning to my mother-in-law who sat regarding her son with
the most traditional of "stony stares," "we shall be delighted to have
your daughter and her family. You must tell me how many there are
so we can arrange for beds and plenty of bedding. This is a rather
draughty house, you know."

"I am better aware of that than you are," she returned, ungraciously
making no response to my proffer of hospitality. Then she turned her
attention to Dicky.

"Richard," she said sternly, "I have never been compelled to consult
anybody yet, before inviting guests to my home, whether it be a
permanent or a temporary one. I am too old to begin. I do not notice
that you or Margaret take the trouble to consult me before inviting
your friends here."

Dicky opened his mouth to reply, but I effectually stopped him, by a
swift kick, which I think found a mark, for he jumped perceptibly
and flashed me a wrathful look. I knew that he was thinking of the
strenuous objection his mother had made to our entertaining the
Underwoods, and to the proposed visit of Robert Gordon to our home.
But I knew also that it was no time to rake up old scores. I foresaw
trouble enough in this proposed visit of my relatives-in-law whom I
had never see