"The invitation could not have been more opportune," he said. "Accept
by all means; nothing could have been better; and it is an exceedingly
healthy climate. The other children can---"

"Oh, Father expressly stipulates for Pip as well, because he is a
scamp."

"Upon my word, Esther, your parents have a large enough fund of
philanthropy. Anyone else included in the invitation?"

"Only Nell and Bunty and Baby. Oh, and Mother says if you can
run up at any time for a few days shooting you know without her
telling you how pleased she will be to see you."

"The hospitality of squatters is world-farmed, but this breaks all
previous records, Esther." The Captain got up and stretched himself
with the air of a man released from a nightmare. "Accept by all
means--every one of you. On their own heads be the results; but
I'm afraid Yarrahappini will be a sadder and wiser place before
the month is over."

But just how much sadder or how much wiser he never dreamed.



CHAPTER XV Three Hundred Miles in the Train


They filled a whole compartment--at least there was one seat vacant,