nt influenza. Hope
acted nurse, and Theo said blandly, "Don't worry, dear; I will look
after the house. I know exactly what to do"--a statement which the
invalid received with undisguised incredulity.

"Shell make an awful mess of it," she sighed; but Theo had no intention
of failing. She was a clever, capable girl, who could do most things
well if she chose to give them her attention; and, as we know, she had a
special reason for displaying her housekeeping powers. She put aside
her writing for the time being, studied the cookery-book and the shop
windows in the morning, and in the afternoon enveloped herself in a huge
white apron and put into practice what she had learned. All old
housekeepers are apt to get into a rut and supply the same dishes over
and over again, and Philippa was no exception to the rule, so it
happened that the very novelty of Theo's menus commanded success, and
the invalid was constantly assured that she need not hurry out of bed,
since all was going on swimmingly without her. If she shed tears at the
intelligence, it was put down to the depression which was a part of the
illness, and she was urged to take a cup of Theo's beef-tea--"Such
excellent beef-tea!"--or to take some of Theo's jelly--"Wonderfully good
jelly!"--by way of restorative.

There could be no going to meet Barney now. The most she could do was
to crawl out of bed an hour before he was expected and look on feebly at
the final preparations. She searched for a dozen deficiencies--hoping,
if the truth were told, to see tangible proofs of her absence--but all
was orderly, dainty, and appropriate: the best china on the table,
flowers in the vases, the fatted chickens roasting in the oven, and
Barney's favourite pudding all ready to be served, with its whipped
cream ornamented in professional style with candied cherries and
angelica.

"You must sit still in that easy-chair, poor darling! _I'll_ carve,"
said Theo kindly; but Philippa felt much more inclined to snap than to
be grateful for her consideration. She hated to be out of her usual
place on this evening of all others, and to be obliged to play the part
of spectator while Theo issued orders for the prodigal's reception.

"Madge, you must chatter as hard as you can. You are always bragging
about your powers of conversation; now let us see what you can do.
There must be no awkward pauses. It doesn't matter what you say, but
say _something_.--Hope, you had better run