o them last week I said I should be grateful if
they would help us in this way, and it is good of them to come so far on
our account. Uncle writes most kindly. He seems really interested. I
think we have misjudged him in the past. At any rate, his wife was
father's nearest relative, and it seemed right that they should be
consulted."

Silence. The three girls looked fearfully at Philippa, and Philippa
studied _her_ pattern with an air of elaborate carelessness, making
dainty snicks at the silk with the cutting-out scissors.

"And for how long, may I ask, have you invited them to stay? It may be
necessary to make a few preparations, and as the house is hardly in a
state to receive visitors, we had better begin at once."

"They are not coming here; they are to put up at the inn. Now, Phil,
come! don't take it like that. Honestly, I never intended to do
anything behind your back. I was so worried and puzzled when I wrote
that I said on the impulse of the moment that I wished they would give
us their help. I did not tell you about it, for, to tell the truth, I
never expected that they would come. Surely you feel, as I do, that we
are ignorant and inexperienced, and would be the better for advice from
people who know the world. You are a sensible girl; I am sure you
agree."

"I don't think it is a question of understanding the world so much as
understanding _us_ and our circumstances," said Philippa, standing up
suddenly and facing him with kindling eyes. She seemed about to add
something sharp and stinging, but controlled herself with a visible
effort, and said quietly, "You should not have done this without
consulting me, Steve. If we have to work together there must be
confidence between us. But let that pass. I don't want to make
unnecessary difficulties. We have enough as it is, goodness knows! I
should welcome any advice that came from a reliable source, but the
Loftus connection have shown so plainly of late years that they wished
to have nothing to do with us, that I can't say their opinion will have
any weight with me. They are selfish, worldly creatures, who only think
of their own convenience."

"Even so, my dear, they may be useful to us. Worldly wisdom is an
ingredient which has been conspicuous by its absence in our family up
till now. It is time we made a reform," said Steve, with a tinge of
bitterness in his voice; for it is a heavy burden for a young fellow of
twenty-five to find h