whom he presented his father's compliments, and would she do him the
favour to join their party? And in ten minutes, every one felt well
acquainted with the English matron, and entirely forgot that she was an
earl's daughter. And Tom acquitted himself well, and got on famously
with old Mr. King.

But he didn't dare talk to Polly, but edged away whenever there was the
least chance of matters falling out so that he would have to.

And then it came out that the Selwyns thought of going to Munich and
down to Lucerne.

"And the Bernese Alps," put in Jasper, across the table. "How is that,
Tom, for an outing? Can't you do it?" For it transpired that Mrs.
Selwyn had left the other children, two girls and two smaller boys,
with their grandfather, on the English estate. They all called this
place home since the father was in a business in Australia that
required many long visits, and Tom's mother had decided that he should
have a bit of a vacation with her, so they had packed up and off,
taking in the Wagner festival first, and here they were. "Yes," after
she considered a bit, "we can do that. Join the party and then over to
Lucerne, and perhaps take in the Bernese Alps."

Only supposing that Polly's letter hadn't gone to the little old earl,
Jasper kept saying over and over to himself. Just for one minute,
suppose it!

And in the midst of it all, the horn sounded; the intermission was
over, chairs were pushed back hastily, and all flocked off. No one must
be late, and there must be no noisy or bustling entrances into the