CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER IX.
CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XII.
CHAPTER XIII.
CHAPTER XIV.
The following morning Mrs. Dormer-Smith was in a flutter of excitement.She left her bedroom fully an hour earlier than was her wont. But beforeshe did so she sent a message begging May not to absent herself from thehouse. For even in this wintry season May was in the habit of walkingout every morning with the children whenever there came a gleam of goodweather. Smithson, Mrs. Dormer-Smith's maid, who was charged with themessage, volunteered to add, with a glance at May's plain morningfrock—
"Mr. Bragg is expected, I believe, Miss."
"Very well, Smithson. Tell my aunt I will not go out without herpermission."
Smithson still lingered. "Shall I—would you like me to lay out yourgrey merino, Miss?" she asked.
"Oh no, thank you!" answered May, opening her eyes in surprise. "If I dogo out, it will only be to take a turn in the square with the children.This frock will do quite well."
Smithson retired. And then Harold, who was engaged in a somewhat languidstruggle with a French verb, looked up savagely, and said—
"I hate Mr. Bragg."
Wilfred, seated at the table with a big book before him, which wassupposed to convey useful knowledge by means of coloured illustrations,immediately echoed—
"I hate Mr. Bragg."
"Hush, hush! That will never do!" said May. "Little boys musn't hateanybody. Besides, Mr. Bragg is a very good, kind man. Why should youdislike him?"
"Because he's going to take you away," answered Harold slowly.
"Nonsense! I dare say Mr. Bragg will not ask to see me at all. And if hedoes, I shall not be away above a few minutes."
"Shan't you?" asked Harold doubtfully.
"Of course not! What have you got into your head?"
"Yesterday, when they didn't think I was listening, I heard Smithson sayto Cécile——"
May stopped the child decisively. "Hush, Harold! You know I never allowyou to repeat the tittle-tattle of the nursery. And I am shocked to hearthat you listened to what was not intended for your ears. That is notlike a gentleman. You know we agreed that you are to be a real gentlemanwhen you grow up—that is, a man of honour."
"I didn't listen!" cried Wilfred eagerly.
"I am glad you did not."
"No, I didn't listen, Cousin May. I was in Cyril's room. Cyril gave mea long, long piece of string;—e