out of the drawing-room and joined us in the hall. "We've done!"
he exclaimed; "we've had our lesson all the same."

"I am sorry, Hugh," said Diana.

He slipped his hand in hers as a sign of forgiveness, and by way
of making matters quite right, I said, "You know, Hugh, mothers
must look after their guests. Their children are always with
them, but friends only occasionally."

Why do aunts interfere? Retribution speedily follows.

"Visitors are mostly always here," said Hugh plaintively. "When
you have children of your own, Aunt Woggles, then --"

"A fox, a fox, Hugh!" cried some one.

He rushed to the window.

"That's two foxes today that weren't there when I looked," said
Hugh; "I shan't look next time."

This was a desperate state of affairs; an attack might come at any
time, and we should have exhausted our ammunition.

"The best thing," said Diana, "is for those who are going to
church to get ready."

Betty and Hugh were of course going; Sara wanted to, but those in
authority deemed it wiser that she should wait till she was older.