She paused. 'Are you there, Alice? Would you mind, father says,
waiting a little? He is so very tired.'

'Too tired to.... Oh, very well, mother.'

Mrs Lawford opened the door, and called after her, 'Is Jimmie
gone?'

'Oh, yes, hours.'

'Where did you meet?'

'I couldn't get a carriage at the station. He carried my
dressing-bag; I begged him not to. The other's coming on. You
know what Jimmie is. How very, very lucky I did come home. I
don't know what made me; just an impulse; they did laugh at me
so. Father dear--do speak to me; how are you now?'

Lawford opened his mouth, gulped, and shook his head.

'Ssh, dear!' whispered Sheila, 'I think he has fallen asleep. I
will be down in a minute.' Mrs Lawford was about to close the
door when Ada appeared.

'If you please, ma'am,' she said, 'I have been waiting, as you
told me, to let Dr Ferguson out, but it's nearly seven now; and
the table's not laid yet.'

'I really should have thought, Ada,' Sheila began, then caught