“You did not mention the exact period, Mr. Schwartz,” said Minkie. “I rather thought that ten years ago you were in Kimberley?”

“Oh, one speaks in round numbers. By the way, have you received a card from your elderly friend—the man we met driving the pair?”

“Driving a pair. Who was that, Millie?” asked her mother.

“Mr. Stanhope, Jack’s uncle.”

Dorothy dropped a piece of toast, and Mam bent over her letters, but she said quietly:

[Pg 23]

[Pg 23]

“I fear my girls will not be honored by any such attention on his part, Mr. Schwartz. Indeed, I think he is the only enemy we possess in the neighborhood. How did you come to describe him as a friend of yours, Millie?”

“I didn’t.”

“Perhaps I was mistaken,” put in Schwartz, who was beginning to hate Minkie, yet had no wish to quarrel with her.

“I said Jack was my friend. Isn’t that right, mother?”

“Oh, yes. I understand now. By the way, dearie, are you going to meet your father? It is nearly time to start. And be careful to wrap up well.”

“The victoria will not be ready for another five minutes. I have time to bring you that paper if you would care to see it before dinner, Mr. Schwartz.”

“Thanks. I shall be delighted—you wretched little imp,” he added under his breath, but Tibbie heard him.

Minkie brought the paper.

“That is the paragraph I told you of,” said [Pg 24]she, pointing very daintily to something on one of the pages. I have seen her point that way to a dead rat when she wished Jim or Mole to throw it away.

[Pg 24]

“Much obliged. And here are the five sovereigns I promised you as a Christmas box.”

“Mr. Schwartz—” broke in Mam, but he turned to her with his best manner.

“I beg of you to allow me to do this, Mrs. Grosvenor. It is really a harmless joke between Millicent and myself,” he said.

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