pretty, arranged in the simplest manner; her skin was tanned by
wind and weather. The elements were friendly, and she enjoyed a long
walk in a gale, with the rain beating against her cheeks. She was
dressed simply and without adornment, as befitted her character.

"I am sorry I wasn't at home when you arrived, Jamie," she said; "but
the Polsons asked me to go and play golf at Tunbridge Wells. I went
round in bogy, Colonel Parsons."

"Did you, my dear? That's very good."

The Colonel and his wife looked at her with affectionate satisfaction.

"I'm going to take off my hat."

She gave James to put in the hall her sailor hat and her rough tweed
cloak. She wore a bicycling skirt and heavy, square-toed boots.

"Say you're glad to see us, Jamie!" she cried, laughing.

Her voice was rather loud, clear and strong, perhaps wanting variety of
inflection. She sat by Jamie's side, and broke into a cheerful, rather
humorous, account of the day's excursion.

"How silent you are, Jamie!" she cried at last.

"You haven't given me a chance to get a word in yet," he said, smiling
gravely.

They all laughed, ready to be pleased at the smallest joke, and banter
was the only form of humour they knew.

"Are you tired?" asked Mary, her cheerful eyes softening.

"A little."

"Well, I won't worry you to-night; but to-morrow you must be put through
your paces."

"Mary will stand no nonsense," said the Colonel, laughing gently. "We
all have to do as she tells us. She'll turn you round her little
finger."

"Will she?" said James, glancing down at the solid boots, which the
short bicycle skirt rather obtrusively exposed to view.

"Don't frighten him the moment he comes home," cried Mary. "As a matter
of fact, I shan't be able to come to-morrow morning; I've got my
district-visiting to do, and I don't think Jamie is strong enough to go
with me yet. Does your wound hurt you still, Jamie?"

"No," he said, "I can't use my arm much, though. It'll be all right
soon."

"You must tell us about the great event to-morrow," said Mary, referring
to the deed which had won him the decoration. "You've put us all out by
coming sooner than you were expected."

"Have I? I'm sorry."

"Didn't you notice anything when you drove in this evening?"

"No, it was quite dark."

"Good heavens! Why, we've put up a triumphal arch, and there was going
to be a great celebration. All the school children were coming to
welcome you."

"I'm very glad I