girl over with her on the morrow. Kirsteen had a dear little
spare room, and Nedda should take her bag. It would be a nice surprise
for them all. Accordingly, next morning, not wanting to give any
trouble, she sent Thomas down to the Red Lion, where they had a
comfortable fly, with a very steady, respectable driver, and ordered it
to come at half past two. Then, without saying anything to Clara, she
told Nedda to be ready to pop in her bag, trusting to her powers
of explaining everything to everybody without letting anybody know
anything. Little difficulties of this sort never bunkered her; she was
essentially a woman of action. And on the drive to Joyfields she stilled
the girl's quavering with:

"It's all right, darling; it'll be very nice for them."

She was perhaps the only person in the world who was not just a little
bit afraid of Kirsteen. Indeed, she was constitutionally unable to be
afraid of anything, except motor-cars, and, of course, earwigs, and even
them one must put up with. Her critical sense told her that this woman
in blue was just like anybody else, besides her father had been the
colonel of a Highland regiment, which was quite nice, and one must put
the best face on her.

In this way, pointing out the beauty of each feature of the scenery, and
not permitting herself or Nedda to think about the bag, they drove until
they came to Joyfields.

Kirsteen alone was in, and, having sent Nedda into the orchard to look
for her uncle, Frances Freeland came at once to the point. It was so
important, she thought, that darling Nedda should see more of dear
Derek. They were very young, and if she could stay for a few weeks, they
would both know their minds so much better. She had made her bring her
bag, because she knew dear Kirsteen would agree with her; and it would
be so nice for them all. Felix had told her about that poor man who had
done this dreadful thing, and she thought that if Nedda were here it
would be a distraction. She was a very good child, and quite useful in
the house. And while she was speaking she watched Kirsteen, and thought:
'She is very handsome, and altogether ladylike; only it is such a pity
she wears that blue thing in her hair--it makes her so conspicuous.' And
rather unexpectedly she said:

"Do you know, dear, I believe I know the very thing to keep your hair
from getting loose. It's such lovely hair. And this is quite a new
thing, and doesn't show at all; invented by a very nice