ow tired I am, Alice. It is a terrible journey up here nowadays. I
was in terror of a train-wreck at any moment," she said drowsily.
"Don't let me sleep too long in the morning, because," she pulled
open her eyes long enough to dart a mocking glance over her shoulder
at her cousin; "because you know, right after breakfast, you are
going to let me begin to help you take care of some of your people."

From behind her own sheltering veil of ink-black hair, Alice
laughed.

"Cooee, you are a dear; but you're rather a trial," she said slowly.
"However, now that you are here, I think I shall ask the P. M. O. to
set you to work to watch over the needs of Mr. Weldon. He won't be
here much longer; but, while he stays, I shall consider him your
patient." Then, brushing aside the veil, she bent forward and
touched her lips to her cousin's cheek.

"Might I ask what brought you up here, Miss Dent?" Weldon asked, the
next day.

Beside him sat Ethel, her hands demurely clasped in the lap of her
broad white apron.

"My cousin's invitation," she replied.

"Then Miss Mellen knew you were coming?"

"Yes. She asked me to come, early in the winter."

"Strange she said nothing about it! We were talking about you, only
yesterday."

"She didn't know, even then, that I was so imminent," Ethel
answered. "I took her quite by surprise, at the last."

"A surprise all around, then," he said, with a boyish laugh. "I was
astonished to find Miss Mellen here, and you must have been equally
astonished to find me. If only Captain Frazer would appear, our old
quartette would be complete."

"I am afraid we must get on without him," she said lightly.

"Unfortunately, yes. I wonder where he is."

"In Cape Town," she replied unexpectedly.

"Really? What is he doing there?"

"Don't expect me to tell. It has something to do with a staff; but
whether he carries it, or becudgels recruits with it, I have no idea
at all."

"He hasn't left the Scottish Horse?"

"In fact; but not in name. Your regiment is still in the Transvaal;
but he keeps a sort of vicarious connection with it. Please don't
expect me to grasp military details, Mr. Weldon. I merely repeat the
facts, parrot fashion; you must interpret them to suit yourself."

He laughed again. Already, in that one morning, he appeared to have
taken a long stride towards the regaining of his old self.

"You are a perfect gazette, Miss Dent, the first bit of news that
has crept inside this plac