ame--Ann--opened the door to me."

"Let's see," she considered, wrinkling her brows, "I've had her for
six months. Before that I had a woman in to do the rough work."

"Well, if you could manage it--"

"I managed it, and kept quite within our income, thank you, Osborn."

"I must say it's very jolly to have you all to myself like this. We
always used to talk of what we'd do when my ship came home, and now
here she is!"

"Poor Osborn! You _must_ be glad."

"Aren't _you_?"

"Of course I am."

"We'll have a bigger flat; it's rather a crowd here, isn't it?"

"Yes, I'd like another room."

"You shall have what you like, darling."

He put an arm round her shoulders, drawing her face to his. "You know
I'd like to give you the world!"

She was silent.

He kissed her cheek, holding her against him. "I must show you what
I've brought as soon as I unpack. I got you some things in the Bon
Marche--I think you'll like them."

"I'm sure to."

"Tell me what you've been doing. I want to hear all about you," he
said persistently.

"There's very little to tell. I've been able to go out a great deal
more lately; and I've been resting and reading while I had the
opportunity. I took the children to the sea in the summer. Ann went
with us, so I was very free and had long walks and swims. It was
delightful."

"And you've missed me?" he asked quickly. "I don't hear anything about
that."

"We have all missed you."

Her assurance left him vaguely unsatisfied. She drew away from him
with a sidelong glance, half sad, half ribald, as if she knew and was
regretfully amused at what he was thinking. She leaned over the table,
cake knife in hand.

"Have some of this iced cake, Osborn? Bought specially for you."

For a while that pleased and appeased him. He asked more casually for
news, and she told him of Rokeby's and Julia's surprise wedding.

He sat back, astonished, exclaiming:

"Good heavens! How unsuitably people marry!"

"They do, don't they?"

The noise in the next room had subsided; and presently the handle of
the sitting-room door turned quietly, and three inquiring faces looked
in, Minna holding the baby steady.

Over Marie's face there came a change. From its half-cold
inconsequence and restraint, it warmed and lighted, as her hands went
out eagerly.

"Come along, chicks," she said; and then, turning to her husband, she
added quickly: "If you don't mind? I always read to them before
bedtime. Do you mind?