g out of doors in the dark.
Emmeline, wishing to lock up for the night, went to summon her
troublesome guest.

'Hadn't you better come in?'

'Yes. But I think you are very unkind, Mrs. Mumford.'

'Miss Derrick, I really can't do anything but leave you alone when
you are in such an unpleasant hum our.'

'But that's just what you _oughtn't_ to do. When I'm left alone I
sulk, and that's bad for all of us. If you would just get angry and
give me what I deserve, it would be all over very soon.'

'You are always talking about "nice" people. Nice people don't have
scenes of that kind.'

'No, I suppose not. And I'm very sorry, and if you'll let me beg
your pardon--. There, and we might have made it up hours ago. I
won't ask you to tell me what you think of Mr. Cobb. I've written
him the kind of letter his impudence deserves.'

'Very well. We won't talk of it any more. And if you _could_ be a
little quieter in your manners, Louise--'

'I will, I promise I will I Let me say good-night to Mr. Mumford.'

For a day or two there was halcyon weather. On Saturday afternoon
Louise hired a carriage and took her friends for a drive into the
country; at her special request the child accompanied them. Nothing
could have been more delightful. She had quite made up her mind to
have a house, some day, at Sutton. She hoped the Mumfords would
"always" live there, that they might perpetually enjoy each other's
society. What were the rents? she inquired. Well, to begin with, she
would be content with one of the smaller houses; a modest,
semidetached little place, like those at the far end of Cedar Road.
They were perfectly respectable--were they not? How this change in
her station was to come about Louise offered no hint, and did not
seem to think of the matter.

Then restlessness again came upon her. One day she all but declared
her disappointment that the Mumfords saw so few people. Emmeline,
repeating this to her husband, avowed a certain compunction.

'I almost feel that I deliberately misled her. You know, Clarence,
in our first conversation I mentioned the Kirby Simpsons and Mrs.
Hollings, and I feel sure she remembers. It wouldn't be nice to be
taking her money on false pretences, would it?'

'Oh, don't trouble. It's quite certain she has someone in mind whom
she means to marry before long.'

'I can't help thinking that. But I don't know who it can be. She had
a letter this morning in a man's writing, and didn't speak of it