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 she sprang up to get it for him. As she handed it to him he looked into her dilated, dark bright eyes, and thanked her courteously. When he was in this state his voice and tone in speaking were very melodious. Of course it set Harriet on edge. But Victoria stood fluttering with her hands over the table, bewildered.

"What are you feeling for?" asked Jack.

She only gave a little blind laugh, and remembered that she was going to sit down. So she sat down, and then wondered what it was she was going to do after that.

"So you don't cotton on to Kangaroo either?" said Jack easily.

"I have the greatest admiration for him."

"You're not alone there. But you don't fall over yourself, loving him."

"I only trip, and recover my balance for the moment."

Jaz gave a loud laugh, across his cheese.

"That's good!" he said.

"You trip, and recover your balance," said Jack. "You're a wary one. The rest of us falls right in, flop, and are never heard of again. And how did you part then?"

"We parted in mutual esteem. I said I would go, and he asked me please to do so as quickly as possible."

Jack made round eyes, and even Jaz left off eating.

"Did you quarrel?" cried Harriet.

"Oh yes, violently. But of course, not vulgarly. We parted, as I said, in mutual esteem, bowing each other out."

"You are awful. You only went on purpose to upset him. I knew that all along. Why must you be so spiteful?" said Harriet. "You're never happy unless you're upsetting somebody's apple-cart."

"Am I doomed to agree with everybody, then?"

"No. But you needn't set out to be disagreeable. And to Mr Cooley especially, who likes you and is a such warm, big man. You ought to be flattered that he cares what you think. No, you have to go and try and undermine him. Ah—why was I ever pestered with such a viperish husband as you!" said Harriet.

Victoria made alert, frightened eyes. But Somers sat on with the same little smile and courteous bearing.