H. B. Marriott Watson

“ Galbraith," said Molly sweetly, "would you be so good as to see if you can find Miss Graham for me? It would be so kind of you. Thanks awfully."
Muttering awkwardly that he would be delighted, but not looking delighted, the youth went.
"Why, Graham's out. She knows that well enough," observed the critical Eilean.
"Now, that was very clever of you, Lady Molly," said Miles approvingly. "How do you women manage to do things so neatly? That was really knowing."
"Oh, we have to manage sometimes," said Molly demurely. ”

“ You're right. I'll stay."
"Oh, Tiggy, you're a brick!" said Molly, delighted, and seemed as if she were going to throw her arms about her old friend. But Tiggy withdrew a step.
"I'm afraid," he said politely, and indicated the cigarette. "Charming as the embraces of young ladies are to old fogeys, I'm afraid."
Molly made him a grimace and left the library. She remembered that she had yet to show herself to Evelyn—Evelyn, who had endeavoured to postpone her début for six months more at least. ”

“ He won't see us," said Eilean. "He hasn't got his glasses on."
Hut Molly did. Her colour rose as she was aware now of two white forms that grinned at her over the balustrade in the confidence of their security; and she paid the young man but scant attention. He had warmed to his theme under the stimulus of success.
"Poetry elevates, I think—gives you ideals, you know. Most men want some influence of that sort. Do you know, Lady Molly, that I think men are awful beasts, really, compared with women. ”

“ The word had an instantaneous effect, and Cicely was on her feet, groping in the murk of the room.
Eilean stole to the door and looked down the stairs. "I believe I can see Evelyn," she whispered on her return. "There's ever so many people in the hall. We'd better go by ones, and you cry 'Cave!' if you hear anything."
The door was closed on the murmurous sleep of little Marjorie, and the truants descended slowly.
Meanwhile, Molly, unaware of these Machiavelian designs, had gone down to the ground floor and stopped before the library door. She opened it and peeped in.
"Tiggy, are you ready? ”

“ The door below had opened again and admitted into the hall a confident-looking man of five-and-thirty, with a quizzical expression. His gaze took in the stairs with a humorous twinkle.
"What, Lady Molly, not dancing, and on such an occasion?" he said.
"Lady Molly was suffering from the heat——" began "Goggles" with dignity.
"Ah, to be sure," said the new-comer. "I suffer from the heat myself, too, sometimes, and can sympathise."
"It was very hot in the smaller room, Mr. Miles," said Molly with a certain timidity which she had not displayed before. ”

“ And don't tell Marjorie, either," she added menacingly.
"Well, good night, children," said Molly in her languid Society voice. "Better go to bed. You'll catch cold there." She descended the stairs with leisurely grandeur.
"Isn't she conceited?" whispered Cicely. "I expect Evelyn will take it out of her if she isn't careful."
"What'll Evelyn do, Cicely?" inquired little Marjorie.
"Look here, child, just you go to bed. You can't keep your eyes open," declared Eilean promptly, and marched her small sister back into the nursery. ”

“ Miles, is it?"
"Yes," said Molly, pretending to cover a little yawn.
"A nice fellow?" inquired Tiggy.
"Very," said Molly with emphasis, "Quite charming,"
Tiggy played with his chain and surveyed his companion's profile meditatively: she tapped her feet on the floor and looked indifferently about the hall. Somehow Tiggy was being treated differently—she did not know why. It seemed a special occasion on which people assumed imaginary and heroic values. Why, here was poor old Tiggy being held at arm's length and used with Society hauteur! ”

“ Molly shrieked; the Honourable Roger Martin started.
"Jiminy, it's only Tiggy!" said Eilean regretfully.
"Yes, only Tiggy," said that gentleman; "alas! only Tiggy."
"We thought it was Miles," explained Eilean frankly.
"An excusable mistake," remarked the Honourable Roger suavely.
"You little wretches, if you don't go to bed, I'll tell Evelyn at once!" said Molly vindictively.
Eilean and Cicely retreated up the stairs. "You daren't!" called back the blackmailers in defiance. "We know too much. We've been sitting here all the time."
Tiggy shook his head sorrowfully. "All right, Tiggy ”