ned over the foot of the bed staring expectantly.

"We had arrived one Sunday morning in a small town, and were trailing
wearily down the street just as the people were going to morning service.
Suddenly, as I was passing a large church, I saw my father alight from the
carriage at the door. I found out afterwards that he had come to conduct a
special service. He was so near that I could have touched him, but I just
stood, rooted to the spot, so beastly ashamed you know, with my shabby
travelling bag behind me, and my heart pounding away like Billy-ho!"

"Oh, I wish he'd seen you!" I cried, "he'd have made it up like a shot."

Harry blew a great cloud of smoke. "Well, I want to sneak back to him,
John--but--here's the rub--_perhaps Margery does not want me_." He sucked
gloomily at his pipe for a bit in silence, then taking it from his mouth he
stabbed at me with the stem of it.

"This is where you come in my friend. You'd like to help, wouldn't you?"

I nodded emphatically.

"This, then, is what I want you to do. Find Margery this afternoon and say
to her: 'Margery, I've met your cousin Harry. Would you like to have him
come home again?' Watch her face then--you're a shrewd little fellow--and
if she looks happy and pleased about it you must let me know, but if she
looks glum and as if her plans had been upset, you must tell me just the
same. Never mind what she says, watch her face. Will you do it?"

"Rather!" We shook hands on it.

"But--" I asked, "when shall I see you? I daren't come here again, I'm
afraid."

"Tomorrow is Saturday," he replied thoughtfully. "The Bishop will keep to
his study till noon--"

"And Mrs. Handsomebody goes to market!" I chimed in.

"Good. I'll be at the Cathedral corner at ten o'clock. Meet me there. Now
you'd better cut home."

He took my arm and led me down the strange winding stairway, through the
cool damp passage where the grapevine grew, to the sunken doorstep.

"Know your way home?" he demanded. "Right-o! I depend on you, John. And
mind you watch her face, _like a cat_. Good-bye!" And he affectionately
squeezed my arm.

II

I set off as fast as my legs could carry me; and the nearer home I drew,
the greater became my fear of Mrs. Handsomebody. What would she say? Dinner
would be over long ago I knew. My steps began to lag as I reached the
Cathedral corner. The great grey pile usually so friendly now rose before
me gloomily. Inside, the organ boomed like an accusing