A Court of Inquiry

onsciousness of values,

hristophe

dy's room. "Cook is ill-I had the doctor for her in the night. And

She had been dressing leisurely. Now she made all speed and instead of white linen she slipped into a

do not have gas ranges. "I'll have her roaring in a ji

athery success, her coffee perfect, my muffins above reproach. Lad had hel

and a delightful guest, too. She has a glorious voice for sing

t, the fact that I was servantless came out. To the Philosopher and the Skeptic

are a few things I flatter myself I can do as well a

-I say-don't fuss too much. Have a cold lunch-b

aid-servant-and those were happy days. My right hand had by no means forgotten her cunning. As for both the Gay

ered the Philosopher, as

the Gay Lady. "In ten minu

rried away without saying anything. Two

shape, never fear. You remember I was sent

ly after breakfast, to hear Azalea play. In the evenings she sang to us; but one does not sing directly after breakfast, and only second in delight to hearing Azalea's superb voice was listening to her matchless touch upon the keyboard.

ff under our régime. But it was a great success, and our men praised us until we felt our labours fully repaid. Still, we were a trifle fatigued at the end of the day. Cook had needed a good deal of w

ut her tears flow just as copiously as ever. I've written three letters to her frie

irs. It was well that she did not require much of our time, however, for just before noon a party of touring motorist

d furnished our guests with soap and water and clothes-brushes, and left them to remove as much of the dust of the road from their persons as could

d. Do you suppose you could saddle Skylark and post over to town for some beefsteak? I've sent Lad to the neighbours for other th

say in my ear: "See here, why doesn't Miss Azalea come out

some one to beat the oil into the salad dressing I was making, for there were other things I must do. The Gay Lady was alrea

himself as he swung away. Yet he had seemed much impressed with Azale

carved the beefsteak and the broilers, and had tried to give everybody the tenderloin and the white

o said they always took a good rest in the middle of the day, and made up by running many extra miles at night. When they had gone, loudly grateful for our hospitality-two of the men had had to hav

ence. Somehow that hasty cookery for five extra people had been depressing. I couldn't think o

y Lady ral

es will melt away in no time. Then-you're going to have

was manufactured for the occasion. We looked around and saw Azalea at his elbow. She was smiling rather dubious

another. "Oh, no," he assured her. "That delicate touch of yours-why, I never heard anybody

the Skeptic's three and the Gay Lady's six. Once she dropped a china cup, but the Skeptic caugh

dining-room floor-which is of hardwood, with a centre rug-and had had a bad time of it. The Skeptic j

single teaspoon diligently. The Gay Lady had just lifted a dozen out of the steaming pan

y. Besides, I like to show off-don't you? See here"-he turned to me. There was a twinkle in his wicked eye. "See here, why not let Miss Azalea and me be responsible

acity took my breath away so completely that I could make no rejoinder, but the Gay

ayful of china, "and I don't intend anybody shall interfere

ion in your presence," said he, so softly that I think nobody heard him but myself, who was

ic might drop the tray, for he was not looking at all where he was going. But she disappeared into the pantry, and there was n

y nap. She left a kiss on my cheek also, and as she dropped it there I thought of the

next morning. The Lad's voice, speaking eagerly through my door, was what h

-in white muslin, with cheeks like roses-seemed not in the least fatigued. The Skeptic looked like a young commanding general who

n order-matters which were dispatched like

where she sat, with the Skeptic on a cushion so near to her feet that in the shadow his big figure se

it like singing,"

n the settle, and he turned to a

oke heartily f

ese mornings and evenings," he said, "never having to

k so great to me to-nig

her voice. She has a beautiful speaki

surprise-and anxiety. Azalea was a very

me? Nobody would be sorrier than he to deal a

ntly, "that I would give-years of my life to be able

destly, though more happily, I thought, and the Philos

y's face, in the way he has when he wants to say things very much bu

g. It was so evident-that which he wanted to say. He

k her head. "Let's ju

th it. But, after all, I d

to Co