"I'm not going to argue the point," said Gentian laughing; "you do love to put me in my place, Waddy, just under your feet, where if I do attempt a rise, you give me a firm pat down again. I know this much, that you and I could do with more money. My mind needs books, and intellectual entertainment, and a more crowded atmosphere to make it work properly. I think Cousin Thorold is the only one who stimulates me to think, and if he went away, I believe I should march after him! Don't look so horrified! I disliked him intensely when we first came here, but he has a way of impressing himself—his individuality you would say—upon you, which makes his absence quite a blank. Don't let us talk any more about him. I'm pretty certain he doesn't want to uproot himself from here—" Gentian had perplexed and puzzled Miss Ward all her life, but perhaps never more than now. She seemed to have fits of preoccupation and moodiness, alternated with reckless gaiety and irresponsibility. Miss Ward was more relieved than otherwise when Gentian came home one day and announced with glee that she was going to take the Miss Buchans up to Scotland in the car. "We shall be gone three weeks or a month; they'll pay all my expenses. Isn't it too enchanting! We've been looking out a tour—up the Caledonian Canal. I've seen pictures of it—a perfect dream, through Braemar, and we shall end in the Trossachs—taking Edinburgh and Perth by the way. Oh, Waddy, if ever I shall have a good time, it will be now!" "I wonder they trust themselves to you—I hope you'll do it by easy stages. It will be too much for you otherwise. I don't know that I altogether approve. But I suppose they will look after you." Gentian laughed and scoffed at this last idea. "I am going to look after them. It is a triumph for me. Miss Horatia said when I first went to them that she would never go in a car as long as she had a horse, but she's actually coming with us. Can't trust me with Miss Anne; she pretends she's making herself into a martyr, but I believe she'll enjoy it as much as I shall. The Scotch all seem to think their country is the most wonderful in the world, and they want to go and see the part to which they belong. Miss Anne is quite keen to go. She's always talking about the Scotch air in the Highlands. I laugh when I think that Miss Anne was so nervous when I began, that she wouldn't let me drive through the high street on market day! How delighted you will be to get rid of me, Waddy! It will be a peaceful holiday for you." Miss Ward shook her head. "I shall be anxious till I get you back again under my wing. I never have confidence in these cars." But she made no more objection, saw that Gentian had plenty of warm clothes for the tour, and packed all her belongings with her own hands.