"Well, she can't have one until one comes," said Mr. Linton. "Cheer
up, Norah, I'll talk to Miss de Lisle."

"I'll be the kitchenmaid, if necessary," said Wally cheerfully. "What
does one do?"

Allenby shuddered visibly.

"My niece, I am sure, will do all she can, sir," he said. His gaze
dwelt on Wally's uniform; it was easy to see him quailing in spirit
before the vision of an officer with a kitchen mop. "Perhaps, miss,
if you would like to see the rooms?"

They trooped upstairs, the silent house suddenly waking to life with
the quick footsteps and cheery voices. The big front bedrooms were at
once put aside for future guests. Norah fell in love with, and
promptly appropriated, a little room that appeared to have been tucked
into a corner by the architect, as an afterthought. It was curiously
shaped, with a quaint little nook for the bed, and had a big window
furnished with a low cushioned seat, wide enough for any one to curl
up with a book. Mr. Linton and the boys selected rooms principally
remarkable for bareness. Jim had a lively hatred for furniture; they
left him discussing with Allenby the question of removing a
spindle-legged writing table. Mr. Linton and Norah went downstairs,
with sinking hearts, to encounter Miss de Lisle.

On the way appeared Sarah; very clean and starched as to dress, very
pink and shiny as to complexion. Her hair was strained back from her
forehead so tightly it appeared to be pulling her eyes up.

"Oh, Sarah," said Mr. Linton, pausing.

"Yes, sir," said Sarah meekly.

"You may be required to help the cook for a few days until
we--er--until the staff is complete," said her employer. "Your uncle
tells me you will have no objection."

"It being understood, sir, as it is only tempory," said Sarah firmly.

"Oh, quite," said Mr. Linton hurriedly.

"And of course I will help you with the housework, Sarah," put in
Norah.

Sarah looked more wooden than before.

"Thank you, miss, I'm sure," she returned.

They went on.

"Doesn't she make you feel a worm!" said Norah.

"This is a terrible business, Norah!" said Mr. Linton fervently. "I
didn't guess what Brownie was saving me from, all these years."

They found Miss de Lisle in the kitchen, where an enormous range
glowed like a fiery furnace, in which respect Miss de Lisle rather
resembled it. She was a tall, stout woman, dressed in an overall
several sizes too small for her. The overall was rose-coloured, and