Winifred's own character instinctively resented the feeling in the
air, the modern girl's habits and her motto: "All's much of a muchness!
Spend, to-morrow we shall be poor!" She found it a saving grace in Fleur
that, having set her heart on a thing, she had no change of heart until
she got it--though--what happened after, Fleur was, of course, too young
to have made evident. The child was a "very pretty little thing," too,
and quite a credit to take about, with her mother's French taste and
gift for wearing clothes; everybody turned to look at Fleur--great
consideration to Winifred, a lover of the style and distinction which
had so cruelly deceived her in the case of Montague Dartie.

In discussing her with Val, at breakfast on Saturday morning, Winifred
dwelt on the family skeleton.

"That little affair of your father-in-law and your Aunt Irene, Val--it's
old as the hills, of course, Fleur need know nothing about it--making
a fuss. Your Uncle Soames is very particular about that. So you'll be
careful."

"Yes! But it's dashed awkward--Holly's young half-brother is coming to
live with us while he learns farming. He's there already."

"Oh!" said Winifred. "That is a gaff! What is he like?"

"Only saw him once--at Robin Hill, when we were home in 1909; he was
naked and painted blue and yellow in stripes--a jolly little chap."

Winifred thought that "rather nice," and added comfortably: "Well,
Holly's sensible; she'll know how to deal with it. I shan't tell your
uncle. It'll only bother him. It's a great comfort to have you back, my