But she had barely covered half a page when there fell upon her ears the sound of a horse's hoofs. Dumps, however, did not raise her eyes from the not very interesting volume before her, though it may be noted that she had looked up readily enough upon the advent of the curate, the policeman, and the school-children. All of which was a sign that Dumps was growing up. Indeed, she had left school a month ago, and was to go abroad in a few weeks to undergo that mysterious feminine process known as "finishing." The clatter of hoofs grew louder, slowed down, and came to a stealthy stop just opposite to that part of the wall whereon Dumps was seated. She looked up lazily, to find a pleasantly sunburned youth of twenty-two removing his cap. "Hello, Derek!" she observed casually. "That you?" Master Derek blushed guiltily. "Yes," he said. "Good-afternoon. I only got back from Aldershot last night." "Oh. Have you been away?" enquired the heartless Dumps. "Four months," replied Derek, in tones of respectful reproach. "And now you are home for the holidays?" remarked Miss Mablethorpe brightly. "Long leave," Derek corrected her, in a humble voice. "What fun it must be," continued Sylvia, "living in a tent for weeks and doing nothing." Second Lieutenant Rayner, who had just spent four strenuous months under canvas or on manoeuvres, ending with a route march in which his battalion had covered a hundred and twenty miles in four days, smiled wanly. No man is a hero to the girl with whom he has played in infancy. "Topping weather, isn't it?" he observed presently. Dumps agreed, sunning herself luxuriously. "Does your mare eat cherries?" she asked. "No, but I do," said Derek with great boldness. Dumps threw him down a couple, and continued: "I am waiting for Dad. He is correcting proofs--very cross. When he has finished we are going out in Boanerges." "Have you still got Boanerges?" asked Derek incredulously. "Yes, but he is on his very last legs. We have a new car coming." "What sort?" "A Britannia. It has been specially selected for us," said Dumps with pride, "by--by an official of the company. The front seat is being put a little forward, so that I can drive." A few years ago Master Derek Rayner would have greeted this announcement with some exceedingly witty and caustic comments. Now he merely murmured reverentially:-- "I expect you will make a ripping little chauffeur." "I shouldn't wonder," agreed Dumps complacently. "Where are you going?" "Oh, just for a ride," said Derek. "Are your people quite well?" "Yes, thank you." "Tell Mrs. Mablethorpe I was asking for her, will you?" "I will make a point of it," said the impervious Dumps. Then, relenting slightly, she enquired: "Are you going to tennis at Oatlands on Thursday?" "Yes," said Derek eagerly. "Would you mind being my partner in the mixed doubles?" "Is that a sudden inspiration?" asked Dumps.