e pins, a rusty bodkin, or a highly-
superfluous button-hook as a substitute for lawful change; but Margot
took a mischievous delight in collecting farthings and paying down the
exact sum in establishments devoted to eleven-threes, to the disgust of
the young ladies who supplied her demands.

The hat was carried home in true Bohemian fashion, encased in a huge
paper bag, and a happy hour ensued, when the contents of the scrap-box
were scattered over the bed, and a dozen different effects studied in
turn. Edith sat on a chair before the glass with the skeleton frame
perched on her head at the accepted fashionable angle, criticising fresh
draperies and arrangement of flowers, and from time to time uttering
sharp exclamations of pain as Margot's actions led to an injudicious use
of the dagger-like pins. Her delicate finely-cut face and misty hair
made her a delightful model, and she smiled back at the face in the
mirror, reflecting that if you happened to be a pauper, it was at least
satisfactory to be a pretty one, and that to possess long, curling
eyelashes was a distinct compensation in life. Margot draped an old
lace veil over the hard brim, caught it together at the back with a
paste button, and pinned a cluster of brown roses beneath the brim, with
just one pink one among the number, to give the _cachet_ to the whole.

"There's Bond Street for you!" she cried triumphantly; and Edith flushed
with pleasure, and wriggled round and round to admire herself from
different points of view.

"It _is_ a tonic!" she declared gratefully. "You are a born milliner,
Margot. It will be a pleasure to go out in this hat, and I shall feel
quite nice and conceited again. It's so long since I've felt conceited!
I'm ever and ever so much obliged. Can you stay on a little longer,
dear, or are you in a hurry to get back?"

"No! I shall get a scolding anyway, so I might as well have all the
fling I can get. I'll have tea with you and the boys, and a little
private chat with Jack afterwards. You won't mind leaving us alone for
a few minutes? It's something about Ron, but I won't promise not to get
in a little flirtation on my own account."

Jack's wife laughed happily.

"Flirt away--it will cheer him up! I'll put the boys to bed, and give
you a fine opportunity. Here they come, back from their walk. I must
hurry, dear, and cut bread and butter. I'll carry down the hat, and put
it on when Jack comes in."

Aunt Margot's a