150 MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 



" Oh — er — let me see ; Jimmy Edwards was one." 



The younger Miss Badsworth had a shrewd suspicion that 



someone else had been talking, but fortunately she had to 



accompany Lady Flora to her carriage. Her ladyship leant 



down when she had gathered up her reins. 



" Come up my way when you are out at exercise," she 



said, " I'm always about soon after six." 



" Lavvy, I think Lady Flora Parkfield is right," Miss 

 Badsworth said when her niece returned. 



''When one comes to think of it, I am sure she is, auntie. 

 I've had misgivings about being able to keep up the char- 

 acter. After all, it's a case of being * in for a penny in for 

 a pound,' and poor Uncle Hugo must bear the blame." 



Miss Lavvy couldn't forbear giving her aunt a dig, so she 

 went on : "I expect people will be disappointed at your not 

 coming out in the same style, auntie ". 



" My dear Lavvy, I think people, as you call them, mis- 

 represent my views very much ; I couldn't understand what 

 Lady Flora meant by ' old age pensions '." 



" I'm quite sure they do, auntie. Lady Flora would have 

 looked odd in rational costume at her age and with her 

 figure ; I think that is what she meant, but she is a dear old 

 thing, and I feel certain that she won't say a word beyond 

 standing up for us." 



" She certainly was very hearty and nice," Miss Bads- 

 worth said meditatively. 



That very afternoon Miss Lavvy went forth to a secluded 

 spot, made a funeral pile of dry sticks and burnt her coiffure. 



