The Kid, and went out laughing and chatting. Half-way down the stairs
we heard her calling.

'Mama, dear.'

'What is it?' we all asked in chorus.

'Please may I have my custard _now_?'




CHAPTER IX

_Being an extract from the diary of Miss Marion Warrington: Thursday_.
A most remarkable and perplexing thing has happened. Never, for a
moment, could I have dreamed of such an improbable and embarrassing
occurrence.

It was Elizabeth who first brought it to my notice, and I can only wish
she had never made that strange discovery which is causing me so much
uneasiness. I was spending the day with Netta, and had gone into the
kitchen for a moment, when Elizabeth asked if she might speak to me in
confidence. This rather surprised me, because she does not, as a rule,
show such diffidence about speaking (in confidence or otherwise) to any
one.

'Is it anything very important?' I inquired.

She seemed to hesitate and then jerked out, 'Well, miss, it's about