Under the Country Sky

y the door of the car. "You may take this coat back with you, Dennis," she said; and she let him remove from her shoulders the long, fur-lined cloak she had worn for the March driv

acle of black leather which he b

Georgiana had expected. Dennis did not look altogether pleased with this task, but he performed it and was r

told what she wore; but he was interested in learning what she might be, herself. It was something of a test for any stranger, the meeting of that clear look of his, kindly though it was sure to

s that about her which proclaimed her unmistakably the gentlewoman, and this was good to know. She got on well with her newly discovered uncle, and he with her. Indeed, the simplicity and straight-forwardness of Father Davy's manner with every one, his keen observat

hat it was unworthy of her, but, as she led this wonderful, winsome creature, whom she knew to be accustomed only to the softnesses of life, up over the worn stair carpeting to the room she had prepared for her, she

she was taken into the room over which Georgiana

ed to like everything that was done for her. Though this was precisely what was to be expected an

und the right places for them in clothespress and bureau drawers. She had seldom seen, never handled, such exquisite apparel, from the piles of sheer, convent-embroidered linen to the frocks and wraps and négligés which went into retirement on the padded hangers she had provided. She r

ery day of her life, but which might have been matched only in the homes of princes, that the young hostess found it hardest to control the pang of envy which smote her. Such silver, such crystal, such genuine ivory-and such sh

en waited upon in her life. It was only when she failed to discover

Jeannette, her delicate cheeks flushing, "

took the situation by its horns a

do it, for you might have rather a bad time trying to do everything for yourself. There you are-and please call me whe

ot on any account would she have let his presence be accounted for on the score

ends or claims of any sort. He is writing a book, and we see as little of him as if he were not in the house-except at the table. I thin

being written in the house! Is i

reference books, and a great deal of mail, and-

vation and set off by a capacity for quiet-possibly even biting-humour. He looked at least as if he might write essays, thoughtful, clever essays, full of searching analyses of his fellow human creatures, of their oddities, their hopes, thei

vitation to enter, had gone his way upstairs. On this first night Georgiana had let the disordered dining table wait, and had accompanied the others to the fireside as if she had a dozen servants to attend to her household affairs. "After

at once. It is a real pleasure to have him here. It is good for us, too. Georgiana and I were growing narrow before he came. He has br

figure showing its best in the irreproachable clothes he always wore when his day's work was over, his manner, as usual, that of the friend of the house. He had not received Georgiana's permission to come in upon this first evening of Miss Crofton's visit, but he had taken his

lue which the firelight and lamplight, instead of dulling, seemed to make almost to glow. It was the sort of apparently simple attire which is the product of high art, and in

on her task, proceeding to dispatch it with all the speed compatible with quiet. She had cleared the table, and, having arranged her dishes in orderly piles,

lips: "Well-having come without an invitation, the least you

eception, but picked up a dish towel and stood at ease, waiting the placing of the first tu

distress, if

dishes while the gue

an usual," Georgia

'em up and let 'em

sleep for thi

hustler! I don't know

ther room, please, Jimps. Yo

I lik

te forehead in the world, and the whole outline of her face was distracting. Here was a lamplight effect which rivalled the one in the living-room, though it was thrown from a common kitchen lamp, unshaded, and fell upon

her pan with such energy that she sent a splash of hot, soapy water upon St

uite such a looker. She doesn't seem to have brought with her

and haughty. I'm going to enjoy her visit,

ising time of year for the country, but if you think she'd like

ive her. She's had enough of her own kind and needs

promise you it'll be an outdoor affair. Would

ps! Not yet,

We must have another man, I suppose. Shall we ask the literary light, ju

ably wou

in his company the other day. There are a lot of interesting ideas in his head, and I got him to give me the benefit of a few of them. Drew him out, you know. Though to be strictly honest"-with a laugh-"when I thought it ov

ed off her pinafore, and Stuart, who had insisted o

tty cousin ever wor