believe a man loves one any better for that
sort of thing in the end. He probably gets horribly bored, and doesn't
like to say so. Besides--Theo _prefers_ me to go, he _said_ so; and
that settles everything quite comfortably for us both. By the way,
I've been planning a sort of introduction picnic for you, only that
stupid tea-party put it out of my head. I'll make out a list of people
at once and send the invitations out this evening."

She crossed over to her bureau, which, apart from the piano, was the
only piece of furniture the room contained that in England would be
considered worthy of the name.

While she sat absorbed in her congenial task, Desmond entered equipped
for polo, and after a few words with Honor went over to his wife.

"What are you so taken up with, Ladybird?" he asked.

"Something lovely! A picnic--for Honor."

Desmond laughed.

"Six for her and half a dozen for yourself! Let's see who we're
inviting."

He ran his eye down the list of guests--twelve in all. At sight of the
last two names--Mr Kresney, Miss Kresney--he frowned sharply, and
taking up his wife's discarded pencil ran a broad black line through
both.

She pushed his hand aside with an unusual display of irritation.

"What did you do _that_ for?" she demanded, a ring of defiance in her
voice. "I want to ask the Kresneys; and I will--all the same."

"Indeed, little woman, you'll do nothing of the sort."

"Why? What's wrong with them, Theo? They're quite decent people, as
far as I can see."

"Which doesn't prove that you can see very far! You must just take my
word for it, that whatever else they may be, the Kresneys are not our
sort at all."

"I suppose you really mean they're not up to _Frontier Cavalry form!_"
she retorted, not without a thrill of fear at her own daring; for the
pride of the Frontier Force is a deeply-rooted pride; and, considering
its records, not unjustifiable after all.

Desmond's eyes flashed fire, and a sharp retort rose to his lips. But,
after a brief silence, he answered his wife with a restraint that
spoke volumes to the girl at the tea-table behind him.

"Your taunt is unjust and untrue. In a general way we accept most
people for what they are, out here. But one has to draw the line
somewhere, even in India. If I were Deputy-Commissioner, the Kresneys
would be asked along with the rest. But, in my position, I am free to
make distinctions. And I have very good reasons for not asking Kresney
to