the bell. With his peculiar thin-lipped smile the boy went on:

"We imagined you would say no; we really came because we thought it fair
to warn you that there may be trouble."

Lady Malloring smiled.

"This is a private matter between us and our tenants, and we should be
so glad if you could manage not to interfere."

Derek bowed, and put his hand within his sister's arm. But Sheila did
not move; she was trembling with anger.

"Who are you," she suddenly burst out, "to dispose of the poor, body
and soul? Who are you, to dictate their private lives? If they pay their
rent, that should be enough for you."

Lady Malloring moved swiftly again toward the bell. She paused with her
hand on it, and said:

"I am sorry for you two; you have been miserably brought up!"

There was a silence; then Derek said quietly:

"Thank you; we shall remember that insult to our people. Don't ring,
please; we're going."

In a silence if anything more profound than that of their approach, the
two young people retired down the drive. They had not yet learned--most
difficult of lessons--how to believe that people could in their bones