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THE GOLDEN AGE well have belonged to her; she wore mittens, too—a trick I detested in woman. 'Lucy!' she said sharply, in a tone with aunt writ large over it; and Medea started up guiltily.

'You've been crying,' said the newcomer, grimly regarding her through spectacles. 'And pray who are these exceedingly dirty little boys?'

'Friends of mine, aunt,' said Medea promptly, with forced cheerfulness. 'I—I've known them a long time. I asked them to come.'

The aunt sniffed suspiciously. 'You must come indoors, dear,' she said, 'and lie down. The sun will give you a headache. And you little boys had better run away home to your tea. Remember, you should not come to pay visits without your nursemaid.'

Harold had been tugging nervously at my jacket for some time, and I only waited till Medea turned and kissed a white hand to us as she was led away. Then I ran. We gained the boat in safety; and 'What an old dragon!' said Harold.

'Wasn't she a beast!' I replied. 'Fancy the 154