ter one of these instances was explained and apologised
for. "You should think twice before you let yourself become too
friendly. It will prevent any foolish mistakes in the end. Of course I
speak from bitter experience."

Kitty, who was aware of that experience, sighed repentently. "Why didn't
Providence make me a boy? I love them all so much."

"You would then, with your thoughtlessness, have broken some poor girl's
heart. Half a dozen, perhaps."

"It is very difficult to know what to do," said Kitty with the roguish
twinkle reasserting itself in her eyes.

"You have to nip all silly sentimentality in the bud. The real thing is
never silly," said Joyce out of her superior wisdom.

"That's the difficulty. I never notice the bud till it is a full-blown
passion-flower! I think I should become a nun."

Joyce hugged her by way of appreciation, unable to resist the dimple
which fascinated even a sister.

There is nothing so winning as an imperishable sense of humour.
Vivaciousness, and an infectious gaiety which radiates like the sun and
dispels the shadows of depression in a moment--these were Kitty's chief
assets. She had danced through childhood like a sunbeam. She had been
the merriest of flappers and was now a sorceress to beguile with her
arts in innocent and unconscious charm. Kitty's laughter, accompanied by
that irresistible dimple, was the most captivating thing. Tender smiles
greeted the sight of her from aged lips, and masculine youth felt drawn
as by a magnet.

So it came to pass, that Jack Darling who was spending six months
medical leave in England, fell a victim to Kitty's charm shortly before
Mrs. Fox's decree nisi against her husband became absolute.

It was at the Victoria Underground station, near the booking-office,
that they met. Believing that the wide hat and muslin gown could belong
to none other than Mrs. Meredith who he knew was "at home," he pushed
through the crowd and presented himself.

"Such a pleasure, Mrs. Meredith!" It is always such a pleasure to meet
friends in London with whom one has been intimate in a distant land.
Especially is it true of friends from India.

But two remarkably beautiful eyes turned full upon him in blank
amazement and a hint of a twinkle in their cerulean depths. They said
plainly, "You've made a mistake, bold Sir, but how delightful that you
should know my sister!"

Before she could speak, Jack was apologising profusely, hat in hand, and
blushing to