ttle one to see us over to-day," said Hugh. "Half a dozen
ox-tongues, half a dozen bars of soap--I forget the rest. I thought they
would come in useful."

"Why, man," cried Kate, "the kitchen is full of packing-cases of
groceries that I brought from town. You don't imagine I was going to
let you run the risk of inferior things from a country store!"

"It is prime middle cut, I assure you," said Hugh seriously.

"I am going up to cancel your ridiculous order," said Kate determinedly,
preparing to mount. "I shall explain to the storekeeper that you are not
responsible for your actions."

"You are going home to fry my bacon," said Hugh, as he whirled her
bicycle round; "if you don't I swear I'll sit down here and eat it
raw."

CHAPTER VII

LETTERS TO A MOTHER

One morning, not long after this, there came to Miss Bibby at
"Greenways" a letter from Thomas Bibby in the city.

Thomas was the sole male member of the family of Bibby, and was a
hard-headed young clerk in the commercial department of a big evening
newspaper. He had been brought up by his sisters;--there were three more
Misses Bibby scattered about the State, teaching, or in similar
positions of trust to the "Greenways" Miss Bibby. And they were all
inclined to be literary. Clara Bibby wrote verse; if you happened to be
a reader of obscure country newspapers you would frequently come across
a poem entitled _Australia--my Country_, or _Wattle Blossom_, with the
signature "Clara L. C. Bibby" beneath it. Alice, the quietest, gentlest
little person in the world, wrote vehement articles in the suburban
_Woman's Political Organ_. And Grace had actually brought out a book. A
publisher had been touched at her despair when he handed her back her
useless MS., and suggested she should compile a cookery book for him,
which after a little time of dignified sulking she did; and the book
came out and, there being room for it, had a most successful sale. And
Grace, quite pleased and surprised, positively taught herself to cook
from it, and found the subject so full of interest that she abandoned
her heroines and started a second volume of _Cookery Hints for Busy
Housewives_. But it galled the pride of Agnes, the "Greenways" Miss
Bibby, and Clara, the poetess, and Alice, the _Woman's Voice_, that she
signed it with her own name. They were confronted everywhere with
_Bibby's Cookery Book._

Thomas, after he had finished being brought up by these ladies,
surprised