he striker's knuckles; but the sun
told him that it was about half-past twelve, not too early to call. So
he opened the gate, and, advancing up an avenue of old beeches to a
square, red-brick house of the time of Queen Anne, boldly rang the
bell.

Was Miss Lee at home? Yes, Miss Lee was in the greenhouse; perhaps Mr.
Philip would step into the garden, which Mr. Philip did accordingly.

"How do you do, Philip? I'm delighted to see you; you've just come in
time to help in the slaughter."

"Slaughter, slaughter of what--a pig?"

"No, green fly. I'm going to kill thousands."

"You cruel girl."

"I daresay it is cruel, but I don't care. Grumps always said that I
had no heart, and, so far as green fly are concerned, Grumps was
certainly right. Now, just look at this lily. It is an auratum. I gave
three-and-six (out of my own money) for that bulb last autumn, and now
the bloom is not worth twopence, all through green fly. If I were a
man I declare I should swear. Please swear for me, Philip. Go outside
and do it, so that I mayn't have it on my conscience. But now for
vengeance. Oh, I say, I forgot, you know, I suppose. I ought to be
looking very sorry----"

"Why, what's the matter? Any one dead?"

"Oh, no, so much better than that. _It's got Grumps._"

"Got her, what has got her? What is 'it'?"

"Why, Chancery, of course. I always call Chancery 'it.' I wouldn't
take its name in vain for worlds. I am too much afraid. I might be
made to 'show a cause why,' and then be locked up for contempt, which
frequently happens after you have tried to 'show a cause.' That is
what has happened to Grumps. She is now showing a cause; shortly she
will be locked up. When she comes out, if she ever does come out, I
think that she will avoid wards in Chancery in future; she will have
too much sympathy with them, and too much practical experience of
their position."

"But what on earth do you mean, Maria? What has happened to Miss
Gregson?" (_anglice_ Grumps).

"Well, you remember one of my guardians, or rather his wife, got 'it'
to appoint her my chaperon, but my other guardian wanted to appoint
somebody else, and after taking eighteen months to do it, he has moved
the court to show that Grumps is not a 'fit and proper person.' The
idea of calling Grumps improper. She nearly fainted at it, and swore
that, whether she lived through it or whether she didn't, she would
never come within a mile of me or any other ward if she could help