over it, kissed it. She did not draw it away, but watched him
with a curious, pained smile. He looked up in her face, his own
glowing with excitement. He righted himself to his full stature
and, from that stooping, kissed her on the lips.

"Oh, you silly boy!" she moaned, and found herself alone in the
meadow. He had gone swiftly back by the way they had come, and
she went on to her home.

"Well, the boy saw you home?" asked Mr. Mortimer when he arrived
half an hour later.

"Yes," she said, raising her head from the cushions of the sofa
on which he found her lying.

"I supposed so, but he didn't come into the smoking-room when he
got back. Went straight to bed, I expect. He's a nice-mannered
young fellow, isn't he?"

"Oh, very!" said Mrs. Mortimer.




II.

Mr. Mortimer had never been so looked after, cosseted, and
comforted for his early start as the next morning, nor the
children found their mother so patient and affectionate. She was
in an abasement of shame and disgust at herself, and quite unable