Phyllida put out a hand.

“ Lydia -please-you mustn’t! She loved my father and mother. They were her greatest friends- faraway cousins too. I don’t know what would have happened if she hadn’t adopted me. There wasn’t a penny, you know. Nobody wanted me. I do owe her everything.”

Lydia caught the hand and pinched it lightly.

“All right, chicken. Don’t over-pay your debts- that’s all.”

Phyllida drew back. She opened her lips as if she were going to speak, shut them again, and then said in a hurry,

“Why don’t you like Aunt Grace? She’s always very nice to you.”

Lydia ’s eyes were all indignant fire.

“Darling, I adore her-just the same as I adore featherbeds, and bubbly, and pouring myself out in a heart-to-heart talk with someone who makes me feel I’m the only pebble on the beach. I just don’t think it’s frightfully good for one, that’s all. Minute doses and at long intervals, yes, but every day and all day, absolutely and definitely no.”

Phyllida jumped up. She didn’t want to quarrel with Lydia, but if she stayed any longer she would have to quarrel-or agree. She went over to where Irene was telling Miss Paradine all about a spot on little Rena’s chest.

“It only showed this morning, and of course I took her temperature at once, and it was normal. I sent for Doctor Horton and he said he didn’t think it was anything. Of course he hasn’t got children of his own, and I don’t think he takes them seriously enough. I didn’t really want to come tonight. The spot had gone, but of course you never can tell, can you, and I knew you’d understand. But Frank was so dreadfully cross that I thought I had better get dressed after all. You know, I think he’s really unreasonable about the children. He would be the first to complain if I neglected them, but he seems to think that I can go here, there, and everywhere with him just as I used to before we had a nursery. I do wish you’d speak to him.”