r eyes just for a minute, and I know what
she's like, anyhow; didn't I play the Mendelssohn Concerto with her? So
that's all right, and I mean to get her to play with me a lot, if she
will. I like to play with the piano, only you so seldom find any
one--any pianist--who understands the violin; they are generally
thinking about their own playing. But--well, what was I saying? It is so
jolly to be talking one's own language again, and talking to you. I just
want to go on and on, whether I say anything or not."

"So I infer!" said Hildegarde.

"Oh, I say!" cried Jack again. "But--well, to go back to these
people,--there are a lot of them, aren't there? A lot of fellows, or
something?"

"There are!" said Hildegarde, gravely "Here are two of them coming now,
Jack. These are the twins, Phil and Gerald; they are particularly nice
fellows, and I want you to meet them."

"Look here, Hilda! I can't, you know. I'm going to cut across the field
here. I didn't expect to see anybody this first morning. You won't mind
if I--"

"I shall mind very much indeed!" said Hildegarde, with decision. "Jack,
you must not be absurd! You are behaving like a child.

"Oh, good-morning, Phil! Good-morning, Gerald! I am so glad to see you!
This is my cousin, John Ferrers, who came last night, and is staying at
Roseholme. Jack, these are my neighbours, Philip and Gerald
Merryweather."

The three bowed with mutual distrust.

"Glad to see you!" said Phil, in a tone which contradicted his words.

"Fine morning!" said Gerald. "You had a pretty rough passage, I ho--I'm
afraid!"

"Thanks!" said Jack, with a detestable little drawl, which Hildegarde
had never heard before. "I had an excellent passage."

The three drew back and looked at each other, so exactly like strange
dogs that the tails only were wanting, it seemed to Hildegarde. She had
difficulty in keeping her countenance. "What a comfort," she thought,
"if I could only shake them all, and tell them to behave themselves!"
But outwardly she was calm and smiling, looking from one scowling face
to the other as if all were wreathed in smiles.

"And whither are you bound, boys?" she asked. "And what frolic is there
on hand for to-day? If the snow would only come! I do want some
tobogganing."

"There is good skating on Jimmy's Pond!" said Gerald. "We were just
coming to see if you would go this afternoon, Hilda."

At the familiar name, Jack Ferrers glared so ferociously that Hildegarde
al