so every one thinks, and in fact one's appreciation
of the charming things in that way so intensely her own can scarcely
breathe on them all lightly enough. And then, hang it, she has
perceptions--which are not things that run about the streets. She has
surprises." He almost broke down for vividness. "She has little ways."

"Well, I'm glad you do like her," Nanda gravely replied.

At this again he fairly faced her, his momentary silence making it still
more direct. "I like, you know, about as well as I ever liked anything,
this wonderful idea of yours of putting in a plea for her solitude
and her youth. Don't think I do it injustice if I say--which is saying
much--that it's quite as charming as it's amusing. And now good-bye."

He had put out his hand, but Nanda hesitated. "You won't wait for tea?"

"My dear child, I can't." He seemed to feel, however, that something
more must be said. "We shall meet again. But it's getting on, isn't it,
toward the general scatter?"

"Yes, and I hope that this year," she answered, "you'll have a good
holiday."

"Oh we shall meet before that. I shall do what I can, but upon my word
I feel, you know," he laughed, "that such a tuning-up as YOU'VE given me
will last me a long time. It's like the high Alps." Then with his hand
out again he added: "Have you any plans yourself?"

So many, it might have seemed, that she had no time to take for thinking
of them. "I dare say I shall be away a good deal."

He candidly wondered. "With Mr. Longdon?"

"Yes--with him most."

He had another pause. "Really for a long time?"

"A long long one, I hope."

"Your mother's willing again?"

"Oh perfectly. And you see that's why."

"Why?" She had said nothing more, and he failed to understand.

"Why you mustn't too much leave her alone. DON'T!" Nanda brought out.

"I won't. But," he presently added, "there are one or two things."

"Well, what are they?"

He produced in some seriousness the first. "Won't she after all see the
Mitchys?"

"Not so much either. That of course is now very different."

Vanderbank demurred. "But not for YOU, I gather--is it? Don't you expect
to see them?"

"Oh yes--I hope they'll come down."

He moved away a little--not straight to the door. "To Beccles? Funny
place for them, a little though, isn't it?"

He had put the question as if for amusement, but Nanda took it
literally. "Ah not when they're invited so very very charmingly. Not
when he wants them so."