would do most silly things out of sheer bravado. The two little boys
were alternately spoilt or swept aside as nuisances, according to the
mood in which Regina happened to find herself.

So long as the weather was fine, and the Websters could spread
themselves out in the garden, matters jogged along merrily enough, but a
spell of rain sent the family barometer down with a run. Wales, like all
mountainous districts, can do its wicked worst in the way of wet
Augusts. For three days the view of the valley was totally obscured by
mist, and the monotonous pat-pat of drops on the roof never ceased. The
cottage, quite comfortable and commodious in ordinary circumstances,
seemed suddenly to contract its walls. Lesbia, coming down one afternoon
from the retreat of her bedroom, where she had retired to write a
letter, found matters below somewhat strained. Mr. and Mrs. Webster had
returned to Kingfield for a few days, leaving Pendry, the old nurse, in
charge of the housekeeping and the children. It was the last item which
made the difficulty. Nobody could agree about it. Pendry understood the
term to refer to the whole family; Regina and Derrick declared it only
meant the small fry, but included Magsie; while Magsie most indignantly
repudiated being classed with Una, Piers, and Winston, and insisted that
she was as grown-up as anybody. They were in the thick of the fray when
Lesbia descended. Regina was having a sharp skirmish with Piers, whose
painting-book, chalks, and other impedimenta occupied the one table at
the sitting-room window.

"I've told you children before to keep to the nursery!" she commanded.
"I won't have you bringing all your things in here, so you may just take
them off."

"But Pendry _said_ I might come here!" protested Piers, keeping a
jealous hand on his possessions, which Regina was ruthlessly sweeping
away.

"It's not Pendry's business. _I_ tell you to go!"

"Indeed it _is_ my business, Miss Regina," interrupted the old nurse,
zealous for her authority. "They've got Meccano all over the nursery
table, and there isn't a corner left for Piers. He was perfectly good
and quiet until you came meddling with him. Why can't you let him
alone?"

"You've got my book, Regina," whined Una's injured voice. "You _knew_ I
was reading _Little Women_."

"Oh, you children! You children!" protested Regina. "There isn't a
corner of the house free from you. I wish I was in a convent or on a
desert island. I'd get s