“I want to see my own papa,” said baby Maude. “You are very nice, but you are not so nice as he is.” Harry cried out: “Mr. Eyrle, I have written a letter to papa! Mamma says it will travel over blue seas and tall mountains to get to him. I wish I could go inside my own letter.” Kenelm laughed. “Do you want to see papa so much, then?” “Yes,” replied the boy, gravely. “There is no one in the wide world I love so much as I love him. When he comes home I shall ride with him; mamma says so. Mr. Eyrle,” continued the boy, “could you ever hurt any one you loved?” “No,” replied Kenelm; “never!” “So I said. Nurse punished Maude this morning, and then she said we were sometimes obliged to hurt those we loved. I do not think so. If you like any one, would you hurt them, even if it were right, you know?” “I can hardly tell,” he replied, with a smile. “I think not, Harry, unless I were compelled.” “It is a question that involves a great many others, Harry,” said Lady Hermione, who had just joined the little group unperceived. She held out her hand to Mr. Eyrle. “I am very glad to see you,” she said. “I am anxious over this matter. I would not for the world be unjust, nor would I do anything likely to vex Sir Ronald.” “How does the matter stand?” asked Kenelm, taking the baby Maude, in his arms. “In this way: You know that pretty little farm, ‘The Willows?’ Peter Gaspin lives at it. His lease expires next month, and he declares that Sir Ronald faithfully promised to renew it. On the other hand, John Conyers, who lived once in Sir Ronald’s service, declares that his master signed a written engagement, promising that he, and no one else, should have the farm. How am I to reconcile these claims?” “What does baby Maude say?” asked Kenelm, laughing at the golden-haired child. “The only plan is to divide the farm and give half to each.” “You are jesting,” said Lady Hermione. “Yes, I am jesting. It is Maude’s fault. See how she laughs! Seriously speaking, Lady Alden, it is a difficult matter, and one likely to lead to a lawsuit.” “That is the very thing I am anxious to avoid,” she said, eagerly. “Sir Ronald would be so greatly annoyed. I would take any trouble to prevent it.” “Then the only other plan is to search among Ronald’s papers and documents to see if you can find the written agreement of which John Conyers speaks, or the renewal of the lease. That seems to me the simplest plan.” “So it is; but, Kenelm, looking through those papers will be a long task; there is such an accumulation of them. Will you help me?” “With the greatest of pleasure. But, Lady Alden, before we begin to work, I must ask your hospitality. I have been from home all day, and have taken nothing.” She rang the bell and ordered dinner to be laid for Mr. Eyrle. Then they went out with the children until it should be ready.