MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 137 



" No, I daresay not ; but it certainly gave weight to what 

 she said as we came home." Miss Badsworth gave a short 

 reswne. 



*' I should fancy she has the courage of her opinions. She 

 seemed to be a very busy person at home, and as far as I 

 gathered was personally acquainted with all the cottagers for 

 miles round. I wouldn't overburden myself, if I were you. 

 Miss Badsworth ; not for a year, at least. It will give you an 

 opportunity of finding out the usefulness of these other ladies." 



" You must remember, Mr. Morgan, that I have been 

 associated for some years Lavvy ! " 



Miss Lavvy entered the room with heightened colour, 

 notwithstanding traces of a determined effort upon an up- 

 raised chin. 



" Yes, aunt. Don't you like it ? It is the result of the 

 supreme efforts of Tonsure & Co. I've worn it all the after- 

 noon, but, of course, it was under my hat." 



Jack Morgan's presence was no doubt responsible for an 

 air of bravado. 



" I liked your own hair much the best ; really, you dissap- 

 point me. I didn't think your first visit to London would 

 have made you a convert to what I consider a contemptible 

 fashion." 



Jack Morgan was looking at her with mingled astonish- 

 ment and admiration, but a humorous twinkle lurked in his 

 eyes. Lavvy interpreted it to mean ridicule. She flushed 

 rosy-red, and something very like tears dimmed her vision. 

 When you have made a sacrifice which has caused you more 

 than one bitter pang, it certainly does not sooth you to have 

 your motives misjudged ; and when the young man for whom 

 you are beginning to feel some slight regard appears in the 

 ranks of your detractors, well — it's worse when you have 

 spent the afternoon listening to a great deal of nonsense 

 imparted by people bearing lofty looks of superiority. If 

 you possess a temper of sorts (and you are not much good if 

 you do not) that temper is apt to be set on edge. Lavvy's 

 was. As a rule she didn't give way, but she wouldn't have 



