though Kate strongly advised against it.

"I've quite fin'shed with it," said the rebel sweetly, and dismounted
without a struggle.

Miss Bibby wheeled it out, somewhat ignominiously.

"I want you to sit down quietly and think how very naughty you have
been, Max," she said. "Remember, I am coming in a few minutes to ask you
if you are sorry."

"A'right," said Max cheerfully.

The ladies went back to the dining-room and conversation took a wider
trend, for Miss Bibby seemed not too certain now of the judgment of the
author's sister.

"I brought you round that book I promised," said Miss Kinross, "but I
haven't found your story yet. I have hunted everywhere again for it, and
I _cannot_ think where Hugh could have put it. Are you sure you are not
in a hurry for it? I _could_ write to Hugh, of course, though I really
don't know his address; he only told me Melbourne."

"Oh, no," said Miss Bibby, "I would not have him worried on any account.
A few days will not make any difference. I can wait until he returns.
And it is possible"--her cheeks flushed, her eyes sparkled with the
hope--"that he has taken the MS with him and means to look through it
while he is away."

"But he did look through it," said Kate; "he told me he had spent all
the morning over it. That is what makes me doubtful that he can have
taken it. He said so distinctly that it was on his desk and that I was
to take it across to you."

Her eyes held a troubled look. Hugh was so hopelessly untidy with his
papers that it was just possible the precious MS had fallen into the
waste-paper basket and been reduced to smoke by Lizzie. Still it seemed
unwise to meet trouble half-way. Hugh would be back now any day, so
there was no use to worry the poor authoress unnecessarily.

"Well," she said, "I must be off if I am to get my ride. But I tell you
I shall not enjoy it a bit without the little man on the little red
tricycle pounding along behind me to the corner as usual. You couldn't
find it possible to let him out now? He _must_ feel good by this. You
never feel naughty as long as this, do you, Muffie?"

"Never," said Muffie stoutly.

"Boys are so different," sighed Miss Bibby.

"Well, let us have one more peep before I go," pleaded Kate.

They tiptoed round to the verandah window again. But this time there was
no sign whatever of the rebel though both doors were still locked on the
outside. Miss Bibby flew back in terror to the door that opened into t