of it; very fine were her two lady friends, clothed also in the tightest
of garments, shining and lovely and precious.

"Good God, Munty--and the child!"

It was a terrible moment. Quite unconscious was Munty of the mud that
stained his cheek, perfectly tranquil his daughter as she gazed with
glowing happiness about her. A terrible moment for Mrs. Ross, an
unforgettable one for her friends; nor were they likely to keep the
humour of it entirely to themselves.

"Down in a minute. Going up to clean." Smiling, he passed his wife. On
the bottom step Nancy chanted:

"We've had the most lovely mornin', daddy and I. We've been diggin'.
We're goin' to dig again. Aren't I dirty, mummy?"

Round the corner of the stairs in the shadow Nancy kissed her father
again.

"I'm never goin' to be clean any more," she announced. And you may
fancy, if you please, that somewhere in the shadows of the house some
one heard those words and chuckled with delighted pleasure.




CHAPTER VI

'ENERY