"Philip!" His wife's voice was at first incredulous, then it rose into a scream. "You cannot be speaking the truth," she said. "My answer is posted. I am not too scrupulous about small things, but I draw the line at a matter of that sort. Go to bed." She did not speak for a moment, her face turned pale, then she went close up to him. "I hate you," she said; "go your own way in the future," and she left him standing silent. CHAPTER III. Sibyl and her mother went to Grayleigh Manor on the following Saturday. Sibyl was wild with excitement. Nurse was going, of course, to look after her, but Miss Winstead was to remain at home. Sibyl felt that she could manage nurse, but there were moments when Miss Winstead was a little obstinate. She would have a delightful time now in the country with her perfect mother. Of course, there was the pain of parting with father, who was just as perfect, if not a little more so. In her heart of hearts Sibyl felt that she understood her father, and that there were times when she did not quite understand her mother; but, never mind, her mother was the perfection of all feminine beauty and loveliness, and grace and goodness, and her father was the perfection of all masculine goodness and nobility of character. Sibyl in her heart of hearts wished that she had been born a boy. "I am much more like a boy than a girl," she thought, "and that is why I understand father so well. But it will be lovely going to the country with mother, my ownest mother. I expect I'll have great fun; and, as mother doesn't care so very much whether I am perfect or not, perhaps I can be a little naughty on my own account. That will be lovely. I can't be really naughty with father, it is impossible; father is so very tall up, and has such grand thoughts about things; but I can with mother." So Sibyl watched the packing of her dainty frocks and gay sashes and pretty ribbons, and then ran down to the smoking-room to kiss and hug her father. Ogilvie was very grave and silent, and did not say a word, nor draw her out in any way, and her mother was out most of the time either paying calls or shopping, and at last the day dawned when they were to go away. Ogilvie had kissed Sibyl with great passion the night before. "Don't forget me while you are away, little woman," he said, "and look after mother, won't you?" "She won't need me to look after her, she's quite, quite perfect," said Sibyl; "but I'm going to watch her, and try to copy her." "Child, don't do that," said the man. "Not copy my ownest mother? What do you mean, father?" "Well, well, darling, God will look after you, I do believe. You are not far from Him, are you, Sib? You know we call you the Angel. Angels are supposed to have their home in heaven." "Well, my home is right down here on earth," said Sibyl in a very contented tone. "I'll have a real jolly time away, I 'spect."