"Well, at least, Monica," remarked Bertha, as they sat over their

teacups that afternoon, "however strange these people may be, it is our

duty to be as polite to them as to the others."

"Most certainly," acquiesced her sister.

"Since we have called upon Mrs. Hay Denver and upon the Misses Walker,

we must call upon this Mrs. Westmacott also."

"Certainly, dear. As long as they are living upon our land I feel as

if they were in a sense our guests, and that it is our duty to welcome

them."

"Then we shall call to-morrow," said Bertha, with decision.

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"Yes, dear, we shall. But, oh, I wish it was over!"

At four o'clock on the next day, the two maiden ladies set off upon

their hospitable errand. In their stiff, crackling dresses of black

silk, with jet-bespangled jackets, and little rows of cylindrical grey

curls drooping down on either side of their black bonnets, they looked

like two old fashion plates which had wandered off into the wrong

decade. Half curious and half fearful, they knocked at the door of

number three, which was instantly opened by a red-headed page-boy.

Yes, Mrs. Westmacott was at home. He ushered them into the front room,

furnished as a drawing-room, where in spite of the fine spring weather a

large fire was burning in the grate. The boy took their cards, and then,

as they sat down together upon a settee, he set their nerves in a thrill

by darting behind a curtain with a shrill cry, and prodding at something

with his foot. The bull pup which they had seen upon the day before

bolted from its hiding-place, and scuttled snarling from the room.

"It wants to get at Eliza," said the youth, in a confidential whisper.

"Master says she would give him more'n he brought." He smiled affably

at the two little stiff black figures, and departed in search of his

mistress.

"What--what did he say?" gasped Bertha.

"Something about a---- Oh, goodness gracious! Oh, help, help, help,

help, help!" The two sisters had bounded on to the settee, and stood

there with staring eyes and skirts gathered in, while they filled the

whole house with their yells. Out of a high wicker-work basket which

stood by the fire there had risen a flat diamond-shaped head with wicked

green eyes which came flickering upwards, waving gently from side to

side, until a foot or more of glossy scaly neck was visible. Slowly the

vicious head came floating up, while at every oscillation a fresh burst

of shrieks came from the settee.




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