Lippa

a delightful monkey outs

eading and says to Philippa, 'Never mind the

l?' inqui

, b

nce then, I will be b

' she says, 'the dear little-' but her sister-in-law's face causes her to stop and inquire

l, 'George has telegrap

ppa, clutching at

plies Mabel, guessing the

, 'is it a friend of George's or Paul's?'

n asylum for many years,' she pauses wondering how to

moth

uess?' says Ma

o herself, 'somebody I never knew, and yet my mother; how s

r brain, and of course at the time you were too young to understand and it was thought best not to tell you anything, even

it was wrong, Mab, but I could not help it, and I thought that pe

blue eyes. 'I think you ought to have told me,' she says gravely, 'it would have made no difference to anyone, b

t her thoughts are very busy. Presently she says, 'Madn

g to George, says hastily, 'Th

d looks eagerly at Mabel, 'then, then, ... t

hatever, the doctors said, insanity is not in your family at all; it was a shock your mothe

n, this time of separation, and yet probably it has been very wholesome for them both. But how to convey to him tha

its for the day when Jimmy will know all, but just now her time is fully occupied, for the housekeeping has fallen upon

e is chaperoning his aunt to church on Christmas day

eplies Lippa, laughing; 'but you will have to be ve

Auntie; do look, there's Mr Dalrymple.

look unconcerned. 'We shall be there in a mome

, turns round and watches the stream of people passing in through the door. He suddenly nods and beckons, and when Lippa rises she finds that Jimmy is sitting one off her, only Teddy between. It is the first time she has seen him

Christmas

you,' repli

ng to walk h

going back i

you know I've got a sister, you

looking at Lippa, who has turned her head

d suddenly appears, 'Ah! my dear child,' she ex

uddenly she meets his eye, and there is a look of entreaty in them that makes her smile back; such a dear

ty woman's smile may do, of

in the world's drama; with you it lies to make or mar the lives of the men, be they brothers, husbands, sons or merely friends; it is in your power to make them God-fearing, true gen

n to pour out that delicious beverage for herself and h

at an age it is since you

ather lamely, taking Ph

says she, 'you will ha

George never speaks except it is necessary; but Teddy suddenly appears, and suggests that the baby ought to be visited, and after a

tell me before

s son placidly; nothing ever d

,' says Mr Seaton turning to

as been exhausted, when Lippa finds that Dalrymple is looking at her, she fiddles with her teaspoon in her cup and then raises her

ly at me, you did not do it for nothing, did you, Lippa tell me, will you bid me go away a second time? I am

lover's ardent gaze. 'I-er-I,' she begins then pauses, and not knowing

hought it would all

y were you so cruel before; you

I,' is

ade you do

so don't you think w

l he says pressing

g they have been long enough together (he having come in and retired again unobserved in a very in