talker on occasion.

Comus came back across the grass swinging the empty basket-dish in
his hand.

"Swans were very pleased," he cried, gaily, "and said they hoped I
would keep the bread-and-butter dish as a souvenir of a happy tea-
party. I may really have it, mayn't I?" he continued in an anxious
voice; "it will do to keep studs and things in. You don't want
it."

"It's got the family crest on it," said Elaine. Some of the
happiness had died out of her eyes.

"I'll have that scratched off and my own put on," said Comus.

"It's been in the family for generations," protested Elaine, who
did not share Comus's view that because you were rich your lesser
possessions could have no value in your eyes.

"I want it dreadfully," said Comus, sulkily, "and you've heaps of
other things to put bread-and-butter in."

For the moment he was possessed by an overmastering desire to keep
the dish at all costs; a look of greedy determination dominated his
face, and he had not for an instant relaxed his grip of the coveted
object.

Elaine was genuinely angry by this time, and was busily telling
herself that it was absurd to be put out over such a trifle; at the