d. I do wish there was any way----No,
granny, it was all about myself."

"Well, my dear?" she said, in her benignant, all-indulgent grandmother's
voice.

"It is no use going beating about the bush," he said. "Granny, I'm not
going to telegraph to mamma. I'll run up to London by the night mail."

"Pippo!"

"Well, it isn't so extraordinary; naturally I should like to tell her
better than to write. It didn't quite come off, my telling it to you,
did it? but my mother will be excited about it--and then it will be a
surprise seeing me at all--and then if she is worried by business it
will be a good thing to have me to stand by her. And--why there are a
hundred reasons, granny, as you must see. And then I should like it
above all."

"My dear," said Mrs. Dennistoun, trembling a little. She had time during
this long speech to collect herself, to get over the first shock, but
her nerves still vibrated. "In ordinary circumstances, I should think it
an excellent plan. And you have worked well for it, and won your
holiday; and your mother always enjoys wandering about town with you.
Still, Pippo----"

"Now what can there be against it?" the boy said, with the same spark of
fire coming into his blue eyes which had often been seen in Elinor's
hazel ones. He was like the Comptons, a refined image of his father,
with the blue eyes and very dark hair which had once made Phil Compton
irresistible. Pippo had the habit, I am sorry to say, of being a little
impatient with his grandmother. Her objections seemed old-world and
obsolete at the first glance.

"The chief thing against it is that I don't think your mother--would
wish it, Pippo."

"Mamma--think me a bore, perhaps!" the lad cried, with a laugh of almost
scornful amusement at this ridiculous idea.

"She would never, of course, think you a bore in any circumstances--but
she will be very much confined--she could not take you with her
to--lawyers' offices. She will scarcely have any time to herself."

"What is this mysterious business, granny?"

"Indeed, Pippo, I can scarcely tell you. It is something connected with
old times--that she wishes to have settled and done with. I did not
inquire very closely; neither, I think, should you. You know your poor
mother has had troubles in her life----"

"Has she?" said Pippo, with wide open eyes. "I have never seen any. I
think, perhaps, don't you know, granny, ladies--make mountains of
molehills--or so at least people say----"