break there would be a delightful hour or two
afterwards, when the earth, cooled by the rain, would send up its
incense of sweet odours into the summer darkness, and the evening breeze
would bring refreshment to weary, throbbing brows.

True, the work must be done, if human endurance could do it; and with a
sigh of relief Owen remembered that Toni would be disengaged and able to
help him in some way, if only by typing the manuscript when he had
brought it to a close. There was also a little research work to be done,
one or two quotations to be verified, a few short extracts to be
made--work which came well within the scope of Toni's powers; and he
knew that she would be only too pleased to give him what help she could.

But he had reckoned without his host. On leaving home in the morning he
had told his wife he would probably be late in returning, and had
apologized for leaving her so long alone. So far from feeling aggrieved
at his absence, however, Toni seized the opportunity of inviting Mollie
and Cynthia over for tennis; and the girls accepted blithely, bringing
over with them a young cousin, just through Sandhurst, who was an adept
at the game.

Toni welcomed the boy happily; and the four young people played tennis
vigorously, with an interval for tea, until the elder Toby began
regretfully to talk of going home.

There were already rumblings of thunder, and the sky behind the big
cedar trees looked strangely lurid; and Toni, who hated a storm, was
loth to let them go.

An idea striking her, she begged them all to stay and have a late supper
with her; after which Mr. Cooper and Mollie, being musical, might give
the others an impromptu concert--a plan to which, after a little decent
hesitation, the trio assented gaily.

Toni, pleased that she was not to be left alone to face the storm, took
them indoors to get tidy, and then danced off to the kitchen to
interview the cook.

Mrs. Blades, lighting the Ten Little Ladies earlier than usual on
account of the gloom, was inclined to look askance at the invasion; but
Martha and Maggie--the latter filling the place of Kate, enjoying her
"evening off"--fell into the plan with alacrity; and while the former
brought out the cold chickens and the galantine intended for the
morrow's lunch, Maggie bustled round the oval table laying extra places
and making such preparations as commended themselves to her ever-fertile
mind.

Owing to the stormy dusk it was necessary to l