'That sounds as though you have not enjoyed your holiday, Audrey; and
yet Geraldine was so pleased to have you.'

'But I have enjoyed myself, mother dear. Whitby is beautiful, and I did
just what I liked, and Gage and Percival could not have been kinder or
more thoughtful; and then Leonard is such a darling!'

'You look all the better for your change; but you are still a little
thin, love,' returned her mother, scrutinising her daughter rather
narrowly. But Audrey disclaimed this charge: if she were thin, it was
because Percival had taken her such long walks, she declared. But she
was not thin--she was very well; only she was tired of her idleness, and
meant to work hard.

'I wish Michael were at home,' she went on. 'He has returned from Wales,
but he means to stay for a week or two in South Audley Street. Kester is
with him. Home is never quite the same without Michael,' she finished,
looking round her as though she missed something.

Michael had really stayed up in London for Kester's sake; but he was
glad of any excuse that kept him away from Woodcote. When Kester's visit
was over, he went with him to Victoria, and saw him off. He had some
business in Aldersgate Street, and he thought he might as well take a
Circle train, and go on. Michael always hated business in the City--the
noise of the crowded thoroughfares jarred on him--and he thought he
might as well get it over. He had finished his business, and was walking
down Cheapside, when, to his surprise, he saw Cyril Blake coming out of
a shop. Cyril seemed equally surprised at this unexpected _rencontre_.

'I know you haunt Cromwell and Exhibition Roads,' he said, in rather an
amused tone; 'but I always understood you shunned the City.'

'So I do; but one may have business there sometimes,' returned Michael,
linking his arm in Cyril's; for the two had grown fast friends, in spite
of the disparity in their ages. 'I suppose it would be inquisitive on my
part to ask what brings you here at this time in the afternoon?'

'Not at all. I have only been to my tailor's,' replied Cyril, smiling.
'I am not a swell like you, and City prices suit my pocket better than
West-End ones. I was feeling rather dilapidated, so, as Unwin dismissed
me early this afternoon, I thought I would attend to my outer man.'

'You would have been wiser to have run down to Teddington and had a pull
up the river. You look as though you want fresh air, Blake. I don't know
about your outer ma