ughts had wandered to the same subject, for her
welcome was the reverse of encouraging.

"Can't think what you've come back for!" she declared candidly. "Mother
thought of sending for you last week, but I told her it was absurd. It
will make more work, and both the servants are going. We gave Mary
notice, and Kate said she couldn't abase herself to be a `general' after
her bringings up. Goodness knows who we shall get! I sat for two hours
in a registry-office yesterday afternoon, when we had a half-holiday,
and didn't see a single creature who could be bribed to come. `Nine in
family; one servant, cellar kitchens; washing done at home.' Sounds so
attractive, doesn't it? And yet I suppose we ought not to afford even
one. If we lived in the country we could do the work alone, but
cockroaches! No really refined mind can cope with cockroaches, and they
simply swarm in the back kitchen... Mother's terribly cut up that you
have left the Court. If I had been in your place I'd have stayed on,
and persuaded the old man to help father out of his difficulties."

"Oh, Trix, as if we hadn't tried! You talk as if no one had any sense
but yourself! You are very clever and important, no doubt, but even
your earnings will not keep the family. There is a little work left for
Mollie and myself!" cried Ruth hotly.

Whereupon Trix elevated the red marks which should have been her
eyebrows, and exclaimed coolly--

"Hallo, still snapping! I thought you would be quite good-tempered
after such a holiday!"

It was indeed like being at home again to hear a squabble between Ruth
and Trix within the first ten minutes.

When the house was reached, there was the little mother standing in the
doorway, smiling and waving her hands in welcome; but at the first sight
of her both girls felt a sudden choking sensation in the throat, so wan
did she appear, so bleached in colour, such a tiny, frail little
creature to be burdened with the care of an impecunious household! She
clung to her girls, and her girls clung to her, and presently they were
seated together round the dining-room table, on which, in spite of
Trix's dismal prophecy, appeared a tray of the ever-welcome afternoon-
tea.

"After their journey, Trix dear! I thought just this once," murmured
Mrs Connor apologetically. "Dear Ruth, how sweet you look! Is that a
new coat? No, I see it is not; but it looks new, with that charming
collar and vest. And your hair, dear; an