ome into mother's room. I'd do anything to
prevent it, but I can't believe that you'll force me to quarrel with
you this morning when--when we are all so unhappy. I don't want to
make you more unhappy, but I can't help speaking plainly to you. You
_have_ worried mamma terribly lately, Geoff, and now you must bear the
punishment. It's--it's as much as her life is worth for you to go into
her room and speak to her this morning. I cannot allow it."

"_You_ allow it!" burst out Geoff. "Are you the head of the house?"

"Yes," said Elsa, "when mamma is ill, I consider that I am. And what's
more, Geoff, I have telegraphed to Great-Uncle Hoot-Toot. He made me
promise to do so if mamma were ill. I expect him directly. It is past
seven. Geoff, you had better dress and take your breakfast as usual. I
will come down and tell you how mamma is the last thing before you go."

"I _will_ see mamma before I go to school," he replied sharply. "I give
you fair warning."

"Geoff," said Elsa, "you shall not."

And with these words she left the room.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

CHAPTER VI.

GEOFF "WON'T STAND IT."

Geoff hurried on with his dressing. He was wretchedly unhappy--all the
more so because he was furiously angry with Elsa, and perhaps, at the
bottom of his heart, with himself.

His room was, as I have said, at the top of the house. He did not hear
the front-door bell ring while he was splashing in his bath; and as he
rushed downstairs a quarter of an hour or so after Elsa had left him, he
was considerably taken aback to be met at the foot of the first flight
by the now familiar figure of Mr. Byrne.

"Geoffrey," he said quietly, "your sisters have gone to lie down and try
to sleep for a little. They have been up all night, and they are likely
to want all their strength. Go down to the school-room and get your
breakfast. When you have finished, I will come to talk to you a little
before you go to school."

Geoff glanced up. There was something in Great-Uncle Hoot-Toot's face
which made him feel there was no use in blustering or resisting.

"Very well," he said, putting as little expression in his voice as he
could; and as Mr. Byrne turned away, the boy made his way down to the
school-room.

It looked dreary and strange this morning. It was earlier than usual,
and perhaps the room had been less carefully done, for Mrs. Tudor's
illness had upset the whole household. The fire was only just lighted;
the p