married, James."

"There you are with your 'James' again! Strikes me, you're a bit huffy
to-day, Little-sing."

"No, I am not; only I've been worried since Maggie came back. She was
so rude to you yesterday. I felt it terribly."

"Did you now? Well, that was very sensible of you. We'll finish our
tea before we begin our talk. Come, Little-sing, eat your cake and
drink your tea, and make yourself agreeable to your Bo-peep."

Mrs. Howland felt cheered. She did enjoy her meal; and, if she liked
it, Mr. Martin liked it immensely also.

"What a useful girl that would be!" he said. "We could make her
housekeeper at Laburnum Villa in no time. She has a head on her
shoulders."

Mrs. Howland was silent. She was dreading inexpressibly the little
scene which she felt must be endured between her and her intended.

"We'll ring the bell now," said Martin, wiping a few crumbs from his
mouth and dusting his trousers with his pocket-handkerchief. "We'll
get Tildy to remove all these things, and then what do you say to my
taking you for a drive to the Park?"

"Oh, I should like that!" said Mrs. Howland in surprise,

"Thought so. Never say that Bo-peep isn't thoughtful.--Ah, here you
be, Tildy. You clear away--smart, my girl, and then whistle for a
'ansom. Do you hear me? A 'ansom, not a four-wheeler. Look as sharp as
you can, my girl, and I'll give you sixpence."

"Thank you, sir," said Tildy. She looked with admiring eyes at the
pair who were so close to the matrimonial venture, and quickly removed
all traces of the meal.

"Now then, Little-sing, go into your room and get dressed for your
drive."

Mrs. Howland did so. She put on an elegant sort of bonnet-hat which
had been presented to her by Martin, a lace fichu over her shoulders,
and a pair of long white gloves. She had also been presented with a
white parasol by Martin. He thought that no one could look more
beautiful than his ladylove when she reappeared in the drawing-room.

"The 'ansom's at the door," he said. "We'll go now and start on our
drive."

Mrs. Howland rose, and Tildy agreed with Martin as to Mrs. Howland's
appearance when she stepped into that hansom. Tildy said she looked
bride-like. Mrs. Ross remarked that as elegant women before now had
become widows in no time. Tildy shuddered, and said that Mrs. Ross
should not say things of that sort. Mrs. Ross replied that she
invariably spoke the truth, and then returned to her dismal kitchen.

Meanwhile Ma