Dennis had begun to comb out the brown curls and arrange them in a loose and a graceful manner, fastening them here and there with a sparkling pin. "I have brought a list of the things that the children want." "Do they want anything? They had new coats and hats the day you came," said Mrs. Lancing. She took the paper that Caroline handed her, and read it aloud. "Stockings, nightgowns, flannels, shoes. Dear child! of course they shall have these things. But are they so badly off?" Caroline nodded her head. "Yes; I have put everything together for you to see," she said. "I have only written down what is absolutely necessary." "Now, isn't that shocking, Dennis?" said Camilla, with a note of desperation in her voice. "Doesn't it make you want to _shake_ nurse? ... What did she do with the things? She must have eaten them." "I've gone carefully through every drawer and every box," said Caroline, "and I cannot find any good clothes put away." "Let me think." Mrs. Lancing sat and puckered her brows. Dennis had put on an expression that said as plainly as words that these things would have been set right a long time ago if only she had been given the authority to attend to them. "You had better go to ... No!" said Camilla, checking herself without mentioning the name, "you can't go there. I owe them quite a lot already, and that other shop in Regent Street, they, too, are rather nasty about their bill. I'll tell you what, I will give you some ready money, and then you had better go and buy just what is actually required. What do you suppose these will all come to? Dennis, you are good at this sort of thing, you might help Miss Graniger. Dear sweethearts, fancy not having a stocking, or a decent petticoat." She caught her breath with a sigh. "I am afraid I am not a very good mother." "I'm sure you pay enough, ma'am," said Dennis. "Why, the money has just been poured out for the nursery this last year." "Well, money is not everything, we all know that," her mistress said, as she took up her hand-glass and looked at the back of her head critically. Caroline for herself proposed a second time that Mrs. Lancing should see how matters stood, but Mrs. Lancing refused. "No, no," she said; "I don't want to see for myself. Do you think I doubt you? I know only too well you have not exaggerated a single thing." Here the sound of a cab stopping reached her ears. "Oh! my goodness," said Camilla, "that must be Sammy, and, of course, I am late! Dennis, get me into my gown quickly ... quickly!" Caroline moved to the door. "Good night," she said. "I hope you are going to enjoy yourself." Camilla called her back. "Do one thing for me like a darling, will you?" she asked. "Just run down and tell Sir Samuel that I shall be with him directly. I promised faithfully to be in time, and he does so hate to be kept waiting." Some one was being shown up into the drawing-room as Caroline left Mrs. Lancing's bedroom.