d on to D flat yet again, fell off her stool on to
the floor, and rolled about screaming with laughter.

Even Miss Bibby was forced to smile a little, for Anna was plainly
suffering keenly, and had bottled it up for some time.

"You mean well, Anna," she said quietly, "even if you don't express
yourself well. You can put on your hat and take the children to the
waterfall; it will do you all good, for it will be cool down there. I
will go to the post, lock the side door, and put the key under the mat."

In ten minutes "Greenways" lay still and peaceful once more among its
trees, as if no Serenade had ever troubled its repose. The children were
scampering down the gully with Anna following warily, certain she heard
a snake at every step.

And Miss Bibby, the letters under her arm, was buttoning her gloves
inside the gate, and settling her veil for the walk up to the township.

CHAPTER VIII

ACROSS THE RUBICON

But Larkin came along, Larkin, his auriferous hair glinting in the sun,
Larkin, with his empty grocery basket swung on his rein arm, and a sheaf
of papers under the other.

Larkin came along. And the whole course of Miss Bibby's life was thereby
changed.

"Good-morning, ma'am," said the boy; "anything I can fetch yer down fer
tea?"

"No, thank you," said Miss Bibby.

"I'll post yer letters for you," continued the youth; "I'm going
straight back."

Miss Bibby reflected a moment.

It would certainly save her some time if he did so, and she had nothing
now to do until tea--yes, it would give her a chance to read Thomas's
letter once more, and consider things quietly.

"It's a bit 'ot, walking," Larkin said encouragingly. She handed him the
letters.

"Put them in your pocket," she said, "and be sure to post them very
carefully."

"I posts a good few 'ereabouts, and no complaints," smiled Larkin. "So
nothing's wanted?" There was a note of sadness in the last question.

"Well, perhaps I could do with a tin of sponge fingers," said Miss Bibby
softening.

"Thank you, Miss Bibby, ma--am, twopence," said Larkin, digging his heel
into his horse and flying off. Twopence represented his commission; of
course, without knowing it, he was falling into the habit of calculating
it aloud.

Miss Bibby walked slowly back along the path, and with one slender white
hand drew out again from her sleeve the agitating letter from Thomas.
Again she read it steadily. Again she walked back to the gate, thinking