'There's no harm done, thank goodness,' said Marion.

'"All's well that ends well,"' quoted Henry.

'I'm fair relieved to get that load orf my mind,' supplemented
Elizabeth.

'Mama, dear,' put in The Kid, glad, no doubt, that at last she was able
to please, 'I think that now I really can _be_----'

'It doesn't matter now, darling,' I explained. 'You'd better lie
perfectly still and let it pass off.'

'Must I, Mama?'

We all moved towards the door. The relief from the strain was apparent
in our joyous faces and lightened mien. We sang out 'Good-night' to
The Kid, and went out laughing and chatting. Half-way down the stairs
we heard her calling.

'Mama, dear.'

'What is it?' we all asked in chorus.

'Please may I have my custard _now_?'

CHAPTER IX

_Being an extract from the diary of Miss Marion Warrington: Thursday_.
A most remarkable and perplexing thing has happened. Never, for a
moment, could I have dreamed of such an improbable and embarrassing
occurrence.

It was Elizabeth who first brought it to my notice, and I can only wish
she had never made that strange discovery which is causing me so much
uneasiness. I was spending the day with Netta, and had gone into the
kitchen for a moment, when Elizabeth asked if she might speak to me in
confidence. This rather surprised me, because she does not, as a rule,
show such diffidence about speaking (in confidence or otherwise) to any
one.

'Is it anything very important?' I inquired.

She seemed to hesitate and then jerked out, 'Well, miss, it's about
that there Mr. Roarings.'

I at once felt rather troubled on Netta's account. Perhaps Elizabeth
was on the verge of giving notice as a protest against the extra work
involved by having that monstrously untidy man about the place. Why
Netta tolerates him with his slovenly habits is beyond my comprehension.

'What has he been doing now?' I asked. 'Surely he hasn't started
another invention?' I never before realized what a thoroughly untidy,
disordered business inventing could be until I saw him at it.

'Oh, no, miss, nothin' like that, only--only--well, it was what I see
when 'e was standin' in the droring-room the other day, an' I was just
at the door----'

'I quite understand, Elizabeth. He has burnt a hole in that beautiful
pile carpet.'

'No, miss, he----'

'Then he has scorched the rose silk tapestry on the couch!' It is my
opinion that he should not be allowed in the drawing