144 MADGE’S MISTAKE,

Mother says, “ Very well, dear, so be it,
then,” and with a gentle sigh leans back
amongst her cushions.

I glance across at Tiny—she evidently
sees, as I do, that the whole thing is a ruse,
for at our dinner-parties they seldom sit
down less than twelve or fourteen, and more
often sixteen is the number: she raises
her head suddenly, and with an angry flush
upon her face says: “I have not the smallest
wish to dine at all that evening, so, pray,
don’t consider me: I shall enjoy my usual
tea and a walk with Miss Montgomery and
the girls far more, only (turning towards
Mother) I thought it was Father’s par-
' ticular wish that I should appear on this
occasion,’—and Tiny returns to her dinner
with a slight tremble about her lips which
Father notices and chuckles over.

Mother gives the sign for our departure
soon after this, and my sisters and I gladly
escape, and take our way to the school-
room,

I shall pass over the stormy scene which