The Bars of Iron

bang while Gracie herself pivoted, not ungracefully, on her toes till sheer giddiness and exhaustion put an end to her rhap

d it's holidays?" she gasped. "W

ear," said Avery. "Bu

the prettiest madcap of them all. It was a perpetual marvel to Avery that the child managed to be so happy, for she was c

instead of mending my stockings, and Father found out." Gracie cast up her eyes dramatically. "He sent me in to do them, and went off to one of his old parish parties; and I just sneaked out as soon as his back was turned and went on with the gam

needle with care.

he never whips Jeanie or Olive. But then, he can make them cry without

ear," said Avery

face. "Mrs. Denys, you don't

question to ask," said Avery

if he got the chance, but I'm too jolly careful now. I was pleased that you got Ronnie and Julian off th

" protest

cie. "But you aren't re

ou aren't. I can see y

n! I do love your dimp

the

one!" she said, and gathered the child to her with a w

We ought to begin and collect holly for the church decorations. You'll be able to help this year, won't you? Miss Whalley always bosses things. Have you met Miss Whalley yet? She's quite the funniest person in Rodding. She was the daughter of the las

t felt too much in sympathy with her to do so. "I really don't know if I ought to come," she s

thing. He calls it 'turning our youthful energies to good account.'" Very suddenly and wickedly Grade mimicked the pastoral tones. "But the boys call it 'nigger-driving,'

the declaration. Avery looked

with them when they're na

erybody. I think I shan't punish them at all, Mrs. Denys. I shall just tell them how wrong they've been, and tha

know I would dreadfully like to call you Aunt Avery?" she sai

Avery. "I s

" Grade kissed her ferv

he will b

epare for the walk. "Poor little souls!" she mu

nie ran and chattered with the rest. In fact, Olive was the only one who showed any disposition to walk sedately. It had to be remembered that Olive was the clever one of the family. She more closely resembled her father than any of the others, and Avery firmly believed her to be the only member of the family that Mr. Lorimer really loved. She was a cold-hearted, sarcastic child, extremely self-contained, giving nothing and receiving nothing in return. It was impossible to become intimate with

reserve, that she certainly re

frankly frivolous mood. She was fast friends with the two elder boys, who had voted her a brick on the night that she had intervened to deliver th

and she knew that such influence as he possessed wit

world. But of Ronald's future she was not so sure. It seemed to her that he might plod on for ever without reaching his goal. He kept near her throughout that riotous scamper through the bare, wind-swept Park, making it plain that he regarded hi

ly climbed it. The sun had passed over to the far west a

they reached the top. "Aunt Avery will start us. We'll run as far a

nything so silly," sai

will follo

an do the starting, my dear, a

contemptuous. "Oh, of cours

e two big boys and I ought to be handicapped. Jea

nd Pat," said Jeanie. "I t

nt Avery, you must go with her. You

y adjusted themselves for the trial of speed, while Oli

ast of the sunlight lay upon the hilltop. It sh

she put all her buoyant strength into the run. She left Jeanie behind, overtook and passed the two younger children, and raced like a hare down the slope. Keenly th

t, and the darkness of t

ed, flushed and laughin

nches of the oak that was her goal. In the same instant she caught si

n on his shoulder, but the freedom of his pose was so strik

checked her speed, and when she finally mana

a royal air of welcome. "How nice of

r, and she was too flushed and dishevelled to stand

ground, not mine, I suppose, if the

not a corner of this estate that is no

he half-mocking light go out of his eyes as they glanced up t

of the hill. Olive had begun to descend from the top with becoming dignity. And midway,

hurt!" excl

, but in a moment Piers

Don't run! T

tched him with subconscious admiratio

s no hesitation about him. He was evidently deeply concerned

blue woollen cap was pillowed against him an

id it. It twisted right round-and oh, it

hose confounded rabbit-holes. There! You'll be better in a m

nderly as if he had been a woman; then ra

n. I'd better get her

her home first," said Av

u mustn't cry." He patted her shoulder kindly. "It hurts horribly, I know. These things always do. But y

rt to regain her self-command. But she clasped her two hands ve

promised him tremulously. "You

ou like,"

d foot. Jeanie was propped sideway

please, Aunt Aver

terested group. "It looks like a fracture t

glance. "Mighty lot you know

. But his mirth was checked by the impulsive Gracie

so absurdly like her father that a gleam of humour shot through even

o be trusted to ca

" said

said Avery

her, and was instantly pummeled

it at anyone! Carry it on your shoulder! That's the way. Go sl

ficer, and having issued them turned again with rene

'm afraid postponing it won't make it any

," whisper

t your arm round my neck

steady her foot

t even so the strain upon the foot was inevitable. J

roke off in the middle, feeling the c

Avery. "We will get her down to

!" remarked Julian. "It

ain at all," sa

e liked to disagree, Aver