because she is clever. Men always like stupid girls best, who think
everything they say is wonderful."

At this Tom laughed outright. "There is one clever little girl I am very
fond of," he said, "and it is going to be dull at Woodcote without her.
When will you come back, Rosie? Don't stay very long. I am sure Aunt Lucy
is not well."

"I must stay till Thursday. Pauline and Clare are going to have a musical
At Home on Thursday. But I will come back on Friday, Tom. I must, I
suppose." And Rose tried to suppress a sigh.

"Do you really want to stay longer?" said Tom, with a wondering look at
her. "I daresay Laura would spend a day or two with Aunt Lucy. I don't
think she ought to be alone, Rose."

"Laura fidgets Aunt Lucy to death," Rose answered quickly. "You know she
does, Tom. Of course I shall come back on Friday. I promised Aunt Lucy I
would."

While Tom and Rose were talking thus, Miss Merivale was waiting anxiously
for Rhoda. She had arranged that she should come to Woodcote that morning
while Tom and Rose were away. The station was only half a mile from the
house, and she did not send to meet her; but she sat by the drawing-room
window, looking with painful eagerness down the drive for the first
glimpse of the slim figure she remembered.

It was nearly eleven o'clock when Rhoda came up the quiet country road and
turned in at the iron gates. It was a delightful day, the first real day
of spring. Though no leaves were yet on the trees, ruddy brown buds just