Mrs. Munt assumed a cryptic air. "It is only that a
certain family, whom we know by name but do not mention, as
you said yourself last night after the concert, have taken
the flat opposite from the Mathesons--where the plants are
in the balcony."

Helen began some laughing reply, and then disconcerted
them all by blushing. Mrs. Munt was so disconcerted that
she exclaimed, "What, Helen, you don't mind them coming, do
you?" and deepened the blush to crimson.

"Of course I don't mind," said Helen a little crossly.
"It is that you and Meg are both so absurdly grave about it,
when there's nothing to be grave about at all."

"I'm not grave," protested Margaret, a little cross in
her turn.

"Well, you look grave; doesn't she, Frieda?"

"I don't feel grave, that's all I can say; you're going
quite on the wrong tack."

"No, she does not feel grave," echoed Mrs. Munt. "I can
bear witness to that. She disagrees--"

"Hark!" interrupted Fraulein Mosebach. "I hear Bruno
entering the hall."