he night she had decided that it was her duty to use her influence to
lead this dear worldling into better ways, and, to his credit be it
said, the dear worldling appeared most eager to be reformed. He
besought Miss Ramsden to "pitch into him"; declared that he knew, don't
you know, that he was an "awful rotter"; but represented himself as
waiting eagerly to be guided in the way in which he should go. How was
he to begin?

Elma puckered her delicate eyebrows. She was wearing no hat, as it was
more comfortable to recline against the cushions with uncovered head,
but a fluffy white parasol belonging to her hostess was placed by her
side, in case an obtrusive sunbeam penetrated the branches overhead. "I
never know where the sun is going to move next. Men always do, don't
they? I think it is so clever of them!" Madame had declared in her
charming, inconsequent fashion as she fluttered away. Elma did not need
the parasol as a shade, but it came in very usefully as a plaything in
moments of embarrassment. There was one all-important subject weighing
on her mind; she made a desperate plunge, and put it into words--

"You--you don't go to church!"

"Not very often, I admit. I'm afraid it is not much in my line."

"Don't you--believe in it?"

The vague question was yet sufficiently explicit. The Squire leant
forward, his hands clasped between his knees, his forehead knitted into
thoughtful lines.

"Er--yes! As a matter of fact, I _do_! Didn't once! At college, you
know; got into a free-thinking set, and chucked the whole thing aside.
But I've been about a good bit. I've seen countries where they go on
that tack and it doesn't pay. The old way is the best. I know I'm a
bit careless still. Men are, Miss Ramsden, when they have only
themselves to think of. They get into the way of leaving that sort of
thing to their mothers and sisters, but when a fellow starts for
himself, it's different! I'm the master here, in name, but virtually
it's my mother who runs the house. I don't interfere with her ways, but
when I--er--_marry_, it will be different! Then I shall make a stand.
Family prayers, and that sort of thing, don't you know. A man ought to
set an example. You are quite right; you are always right! Bit shy at
first, you know, and that sort of thing, but I'd do it; I promise you, I
would! Turn up at church regularly every Sunday!"

"It would be your duty," said Elma, primly. She twirled the handle