"She took it upon herself to ask you to help us out this
afternoon?" the old lady added, with the sort of gracious cruelty
of which she was mistress. Richard Carter gave his daughter's
companion a look that asked indulgence. Harriet coloured brightly,
fixing her eyes upon his mother.

"Nina brought me a message from her mother, Madame Carter."

"Miss Nina did?" Madame Carter amended the title as if absently.
"Mrs. Carter," she added, with a glance toward the near-by group
in whose centre they could see the cream-coloured gown with its
pink poppies, "told me that she was surprised to see that you had-
-had stepped into the breach so nicely--" Her son's reproachful
glance had the effect of interrupting her, and she turned to him.
"Well, I am saying that it was very nice of Miss Field, Richard,"
she protested. "I am sure there is no harm in my saying that, my
dear!"

Harriet said nothing, and resumed her seat as the old lady rustled
slowly away. Her heart was hot with fury, and she was only partly
soothed by hearing Richard Carter's murmur of reproach: "How can
you be so perverse, Mother--"

"Of all the detestable, horrible, maddening--" Harriet thought,
splashing hot water and clattering tea-cups. "Who's coming?" she
added aloud in an undertone to Ward, as one more motor swept about
the carriage drive.

"What is it, Beautiful?" Ward laughed. Harriet's glorious eyes