us to come and see you, so we came. I called her None-so-pretty, out of
a fairy story. She does not mind. Gran says she thinks she rather likes
it.'

'I shouldn't wonder if she did,' said Merton. 'But what is her real
name?'

'She made me promise not to tell. She was staying at the Home Farm when
we were staying at Gran's.'

'Is Gran your grandmother?'

'Yes,' replied Mr. Apsley.

Hereon Bats remarked that she was 'velly hungalee.'

'To be sure,' said Merton. 'Luncheon shall be brought at once.' He rang
the bell, and, going out, interpellated the office boy.

'Why did you laugh when my friends came to luncheon? You must learn
manners.'

'Please, sir, the kid, the young gentleman I mean, said he came on
business,' answered the boy, showing apoplectic symptoms.

'So he did; luncheon is his business. Go and bring luncheon for--five,
and see that there are chicken, cutlets, tartlets, apricots, and ginger-
beer.'

The boy departed and Merton reflected. 'A hoax, somebody's practical