48 MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 



" Of course, of course, naturally ; however, in that case, 

 you would join us, would you not ? " 



" I really must take time to consider the matter." 



Miss Badsworth rose with the idea of moving her visitor. 



The ruse was successful, but there were many last words, 

 and eventually Mrs. Dickinson left under the impression 

 that she had prevailed so far that, when Miss Badsworth 

 came to think things over, she would not desert the cause. 



There was a peacefulness in the room when Mrs. Dickin- 

 son had bustled forth, and Miss Badsworth seated herself in 

 an arm-chair and allowed herself the luxury of ten minutes' 

 rest. She made no attempt to concentrate her thoughts 

 upon anything in particular, they wandered about at their 

 own sweet will. 



No doubt the remarks which Mrs. Dickinson had let fall 

 dug out a channel into which those thoughts eventually 

 trickled. Hugo Badsworth seemed to stand upon the hearth- 

 rug with his eyes taking in the various objects in the room 

 as he gave his opinions upon his sister's fads ; she recol- 

 lected what he had said upon the manufacture of work, and 

 was fain to confess unwillingly that there was some truth 

 in his words. Then she tried to trace out Lady Theodosia 

 Booker's method of making other people do her work, but 

 things became dim and visionary — in fact, she was very 

 tired. The hum of varying sounds in the square was sooth- 

 ing, even "The Honeysuckle and the Bee," rendered upon 

 a piano organ with a whirlwind of accompaniment which 

 smothered the original theme, failed to be irritating. Nature, 

 the practical, seized the opportunity for recuperation ; she 

 wisely laid up her store against the winter of discontent. 

 Half an hour had elapsed when the opening door aroused 

 Miss Badsworth with a start. The butler, with the dignity 

 of a messenger from cloud-compelling Jove, walked de- 

 liberately, with noiseless footfall, to his mistress and ex- 

 tended a silver salver, upon which rested the unmistakable 

 envelope of a telegram. Miss Badsworth took it mechani- 

 cally (their frequency had long since depleted such missives 



