When the Birds Begin to Sing

wreathed in smiles as she t

'At home' the following day. I long to introduce her to you. Such a stately, aristocratic-looking woman, a little 'difficult' sometimes, but usually charming. She takes offence if you introduce her

up?" asks El

e word. 'Proud,' shall

an old lord? How amusing!

erring an immense honour on Mrs. Roche. "Mind you use that duck of a service, and wear yo

rs?" asks Elea

ce sweeps ov

de a farmhouse. It is not ornamental, and quite spoils the beauty o

suffer," replies Eleanor staunchly. "It is my fa

martyred expression,

es sadly, shaking her head. "What would you hav

been ungrateful. "You have done me no end of good

yours and her hus

flushes

s Giddy's cynical smile. She could not bear t

d she

arms as a baby, tended me i

, kisses the two f

nerous, kind-hearted; they mig

the widow. "What a true little woman you are, Elea

upid, Giddy; I was not

could not have done it better myself. As it was, a wretched sore throat condemned me to silence. How your badinage with Quinton astonished our hostess! S

s bending over you in the window seat. She drew in her thin lips, and mut

an?" cries Elea

"Ta-ta, beloved-and mind you adopt your best Society airs for Lady MacDonald to-morro

is set out on a new and dainty cloth, which had been laid by for an occasion. The curtains are drawn to shut away the dreary fog, and fire-light mingles w

, settling her sleeves, and critically contrasting th

s most desirable, as she place

on the doorstep; you might be in

, ma

ets denser light

pretends to read a Society paper, but her

toilette, and a new pair of bronzed beaded shoes. Her only trial in life at this moment is the propensity shown by her diamond c

citement rushes over E

o the room with Lady MacDonald. Mrs. Roche feels quite sma

long-handled lorgnette to

ald sinks gracefully back among the cushions, her head poised on one side-she always holds it so. So

affected little cough, first cousin to a

clogs your brain," adds Giddy, "the y

r party to-morrow," says El

ck on the line, perhaps, and we shall have a songless,

; I must be back in town by seven, for two or

iddy, "or I should not have secured you. It is d

I tell him," she replie

lorgnette, and so many rings on her long pink fingers that they bulge over her knuckles. Her nails are manicured to appear

hand against a still softer cheek. Her complexion

es Lady MacDonald. "I adore nymphs

ddy, "Eleanor is

ing at Giddy in amazement, never

ou ex

n answers

, he thinks any publicit

scribbling. He is so cross because people get my picture sometimes for the Society papers. I have to hide them away from him. The last

f beauty," cri

types of English b

I leave that to Irish belles

chin, and rests her la

, and Sarah's

d Mrs.

d Mrs.

to her feet, an

er! M

g gold chain suspended round her neck, a Paisley shawl cros

pper lip guiltless of hirsute appendages. A gorgeous suit of a very baggy cut, flowered satin

hless-one that in its puppyhood had leaped and playe

s she hugs her parents in turn, and

exclaims, sinking on her

autiful heliotrope dress. His claws catch in the lace, but s

th a red handkerchief, which is shining and damp from excitement. "P

ike to visit London and surprise yo

n her joy forgetting the guests by th

the palms of her hands are icy cold. The feathers in h

ively glaring through h

ity in her mien, as she looks th

erry sparkle in her eyes. What do these people matter, now that her parents have

w, Ma dear, you sit here," pulling up a chair between Giddy and Lady MacDo

r at the grandly dressed visitors, a

ound the room, rema

ome here, Eleanor, I want 'er to see this 'orse, and the lady on the moon in the next fr

es the tiny cup Eleanor hands her, and turns it round to examine it. Then her eyes fall on th

s. "I thought you'd be sure to have a k

shock Lady MacDonald, as Giddy has so often excit

t eight o'clock. Five courses and

as Eleanor hands him his tea. "It's more like an acorn!" He takes

fastin' don't agree with me. We went to the Tower, Madame Tussaud's, and

ks Eleanor, exciting the dog to jump

fter that we are going to put up a bit at her lodging-house in Bloomsbury. Ma

anor, cutting the pink cake. "

the severity of the t

ng in her heart. Lady MacDonald haughty and disdainful, eyeing the homely couple as she would the beasts at the Zoo. Mrs. Grebby, speechless in admiring silence, fingering the frills of the sofa cushions, and taking in the pattern of the wall-pa

e old dog with her slim white hands, and talking first to one guest, then to t

ou, Giddy," she says, "I can't spare the

g her friend's exp

r confusion, wondering what she has said to offe

put me up for th

at morning requested Lady M

thought, for Lady MacDonald i

imagine that a club must necessarily be emancipated, that it will lead you into latchkey habits, and advance your i

rom the recesses of an enormous pocket in h

rs. King's baby was christened last Sunday, and the l

xchange glances that palpa

ooted to the spot, paralysed as it wer

at a play, a comedy in low-life, acted

. Grebby lights his pipe with a match he has rasped along his trouser

gling chatelaine clanks irritatingly, as if

id glove, proffering E

your little coterie to-day, but we really must not intrude oursel

from her customary caress

look, Giddy!

r breath, "I have over-eaten