an informal picnic of my particular friends. On neutral ground,
such as the club, or the tennis-courts, I have nothing to say; though
I should naturally feel pleased if you considered my wishes a little
in this matter."

"Well, then, why can't you consider _mine_ a little too? I told Miss
Kresney about it, and she's expecting to come."

"I'm sorry for that; I don't want to hurt the girl's feelings. But you
can't take people up just for once and ignore them afterwards. The
truth is, they both see plainly enough that you haven't quite got the
hang of things out here yet, and they are naturally taking full
advantage of the fact."

Evelyn's passing gentleness evaporated on the instant.

"They're _not!_" she protested wrathfully. "And it's horrid of you to
say such things! They like me, I don't see why I shouldn't be nice to
them. Besides, this is _my_ picnic--I planned it--and if _I'm_ the
hostess I can ask who I please." The touch of young importance that
sounded through the petulance of her tone dispelled the last shadow of
Desmond's annoyance and set him smiling.

"Why, of course, Ladybird--within reasonable limits. But after all,
the hospitality offered is mine; and what's more, the hostess is mine
into the bargain!"

He laid his hand lightly against the rose-flush of her cheek, but she
jerked it impatiently aside.

"Oh, well, if you will take it that way," he said, in a tone of
resigned weariness, and turning abruptly on his heel came across to
Honor, whose cheeks were almost as hot as Evelyn's own.

"I'm glad Alla Dad Khan made himself interesting this afternoon," he
remarked conversationally. "Ressaldar Rajinder Singh, who commands my
Sikh troop, is very anxious to come and pay his respects some day
soon. You see, as your father's daughter and the Major's sister you
are a rather special person for us all. But I must be off now. The
fellows will be waiting. I'll arrange about the Sirdar to-morrow."

On the threshold he paused and looked towards his wife, who still sat
with her back to the room, her head supported on her hand.

"Good-bye, Ladybird," he said, and there was marked kindliness in his
tone.

She acknowledged the words with a scarcely perceptible movement, and a
few minutes later the rattle of hoofs on the road came sharply to
their ears.

Honor's anger flamed up and overflowed.

"Oh, Evelyn, how _can_ you behave like that to him!"

Still no answer; only, after a short silence, Evelyn rose