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 society; I am left to support the burden of domestic empire single-handed, but, when Will is at home, I am glad for Arthur to be away. When our boy applied for a commission, all that Arthur would say was, why hadn’t he applied for it before? When he joined the staff, why hadn’t he refused to join the staff? When he left it, why hadn’t he stayed there? Picking a quarrel. . . If only I could find him some suitable employment! But when a man like Erskine or Erckmann or whatever his name is. . . A broken reed, a mere “climber” who hoped to use me for securing an invitation to Cheniston and the delectable friendship of my brother-in-law Spenworth. . . I have lost the thread. . . Ah, yes! For all its shabbiness, the dear old house looked more than attractive when Mrs. Surdan arrived for dinner. Just the two of us. . . I always think tea is such an inhospitable meal, and luncheon is hardly practicable when every gleam of sunlight shews you something more to be patched and painted. . . As a matter of fact I might have spared my pains, for she was not interested in the house.

“Now, Lady Ann,” she said, with the brisk, efficient manner which always rather puts me on my guard. “Let’s come to business. I want your advice. My husband has closed down