It is tea-time, and in Brook Street Lippa has just begun to pour out
that delicious beverage for herself and her brother, when the door opens
and Dalrymple walks in.

'Hullo,' says George, 'what an age it is since you have been near the
house--'

'Yes,' replies Jimmy, rather lamely, taking Philippa's proffered hand.

'How do you do, again,' says she, 'you will have some tea, won't you?'

Jimmy says, 'Thanks,' and for a second or two there is an awkward pause,
neither Lippa nor Dalrymple feeling quite at their ease, and George
never speaks except it is necessary; but Teddy suddenly appears, and
suggests that the baby ought to be visited, and after a long argument as
to who it is like, remembers that he came with a message to the effect
that his mother wanted to speak to his father.

'Why didn't you tell me before?' says George.

'I'd forgotten it,' replies his son placidly; nothing ever disturbs
Teddy's peace of mind.

'You'll wait till I come back,' says Mr Seaton turning to Dalrymple, and
the door shuts.

A little time is passed in uninteresting conversation on the weather and
things in general, till every subject they can think of has been
exhausted, when Lippa finds that Dalrymple is looking at her, she