come alone, and there was no doubt that he
deserved the blue room--a delightful little corner room looking south
and west, with dainty blue hangings and wall-paper, and a big couch
that beckoned temptingly to a tired man. Captain Garrett had had
fourteen months in France without a break. He had spent the previous
night in the leave-train, only pausing in London for a hasty
"clean-up." The lavender-scented blue room was like a glimpse of
Heaven to him. He did not want to leave it--only that downstairs Jim
Linton's sister awaited him, and it appeared that the said sister was
a very jolly girl, with a smile like her brother's cheerful grin, and
a mop of brown curls framing a decidedly attractive face. Bob Garrett
decided that there were better things than even the blue room, and,
having thankfully accepted Allenby's offer of a hot tub, presently
emerged from the house, much improved in appearance.

This time Norah was not alone. A small boy was with her, who greeted
the newcomer with coolness, and then suddenly fell upon him excitedly,
recognizing the badge on his collar.

"You're in Daddy's regiment!" he exclaimed.

"Am I?" Garrett smiled at him. "Who is Daddy?"

"He's Major Hunt," said Geoff; and had the satisfaction of seeing the
new officer become as eager as he could have wished.

"By Jove! Truly, Miss Linton?--does Major Hunt live here? I'd give
something to see him."

"He lives just round the corner of that bush," said Norah, laughing.
She indicated a big rhododendron. "Is he at home, Geoff?"

"No--he's gone to London," Geoff answered. "But he'll be back for
tea."

"Then we'll go and call on Mrs. Hunt and ask her if we may come to
tea," Norah said. They strolled off, Geoff capering about them.

"I don't know Mrs. Hunt," Garrett said. "You see I only joined the
regiment when war broke out--I had done a good bit of training, so
they gave me a commission among the first. I didn't see such a lot of
the Major, for he was doing special work in Ireland for awhile; but he
was a regular brick to me. We're all awfully sick about his being
smashed up."

"But he's going to get better," Norah said cheerfully. "He's ever so
much better now."

They came out in front of the cottage, and discovered Mrs. Hunt
playing hide-and-seek with Alison and Michael--with Alison much
worried by Michael's complete inattention to anything in the shape of
a rule. Michael, indeed, declined to be hid, and played on a s