ng of my thumbs,' I fancy Geoff has met
his master."

"Elsa, you frighten me a little," said Frances. "You don't think he'll
be very severe with poor Geoff?"

"I don't think he'll be more severe than is for Geoff's good," replied
Elsa. "I must confess, though, I shouldn't like to face Great-Uncle
Hoot-Toot if I felt I had been behaving badly. How his eyes can gleam!"

"And how he seemed to flash in upon us all of a sudden, and to disappear
almost as quickly! I'm afraid there's something a little bit uncanny
about him," said Frances, who was very imaginative. "But if he helps to
put all the money troubles right, he will certainly be like a good fairy
to us."

"Yes; and if he takes Geoff in hand," added Elsa. "But, Frances, we must
go to bed. I want to make everything very nice to-morrow; I'm going to
think about what to have for dinner while I go to sleep."

For Elsa was housekeeper--a very zealous and rather anxious-minded young
housekeeper. Her dreams were often haunted by visions of bakers' books
and fishmongers' bills; to-night curry and pilau chased each other
through her brain, and Frances was aroused from her first sweet slumbers
to be asked if she would remember to look first thing to-morrow morning
if there was a bottle of chutney in the store-closet.

[Illustration: ELSA WAS HOUSEKEEPER.]

At breakfast Geoff came in, looking glum and slightly defiant. But he
said nothing except "Good morning." He started, however, a little, when
he saw his mother.

"Mamma," he said, "are you not well? You look so very pale."

The girls glanced up at this. It was true. They had not observed it in
the excitement of discussing the new arrival, and the satisfaction of
knowing it had brought relief to Mrs. Tudor's most pressing anxieties.

"Yes, mamma dear. It is true. You do look very pale. Now, you must not
do anything to tire yourself all day. We will manage everything, so that
Great-Uncle Hoot-Toot shall see we are not silly useless girls," said
Elsa.

Geoffrey's lips opened as if he were about to speak, but he closed them
again. He was still on his high horse.

"Geoff," said his mother, as he was leaving, "you will dine with us this
evening. Try to get your lessons done quickly. Uncle will wish to see
something of you."

He muttered an indistinct "Very well, mamma," as he shut the door.

"Humph!" he said to himself, "I suppose Elsa will want to make him think
I'm properly treated. But _I_ shall tell him the tru