As he walked in among them he looked first with quick interest at the
three girls. Yes, Timmy was right--Rosamund was lovely. Dolly struck him
as commonplace, though as a matter of fact she looked more attractive
than usual. Betty looked very hot--or was it that the exquisite
complexion that once had been her chief physical beauty had gone?

After a moment or two Betty slipped out of the room, leaving Radmore and
Mr. Tosswill shaking hands quite cordially, if a little awkwardly.

"Well, sir, here I am again, turned up just like a bad penny!" And his
host answered absently:--"Yes, yes, Godfrey--very glad to see you, I'm
sure."

Then, after he had shaken hands with Janet and Tom, they all stood
together on the hearthrug waiting, so Radmore supposed, for the
parlourmaid to come in and announce dinner.

But instead of that happening, the door opened and Timmy appeared. "Will
you come into the dining-room? Everything's ready now."

They all followed him, three of the younger ones--Tom, Dolly and
Rosamund--laughing and whispering together. Somehow Timmy never
associated himself with those of his brothers and sisters nearest to
him in age.

Radmore came last of all with Janet. He felt as if he were in a strange,
unreal dream. It was all at once so like and so unlike what he had
expected to find it. All these quiet, demure-looking young strangers,
instead of the jolly, familiar children he had left nine years ago--and,
as he realised with a sharp pang--no George. He had not known till
to-night how much he had counted on seeing George, or at least on hearing
all about him. Instead, here was Jack, so very self-possessed--or was it
superior?--in his smart evening jacket. He could hardly believe that Jack
was George's brother.

For a moment he forgot Betty. Then he saw her come hurrying in. Her
colour had gone down, and she looked very charming, and yet--yes, a
stranger too.

The table was laid very much as it had been in the old days on a Sunday,
when they always had supper instead of dinner at Old Place. But to-day
was not Sunday--where could all the servants be?

Janet, looking very nice in the bright blue gown her little son had
admired, placed the guest on her right hand. To her left, Timmy,
with snorts and wriggles, settled himself. The others all sorted
themselves out; Betty sat the nearest to the door, on the right of
her father,--lovely Rosamund on his left.

Timmy stood up and mumbled out a Latin grace. How