"Why, emigration. Oh, I haven’t forgotten your threat," she said, with some little touch of confusion in her smiling eyes, "to take away the people with you to Canada or New South Wales, or some such place. And—and I don’t want that. That seems to me ignominious. That seems to me simply a confession of failure." "At all events," said he, "it was not as a threat that I made the suggestion. I thought it would help you." "Oh," said she, with her face flushing a little, "but I don’t want anybody to go away. Surely something else should be tried first. There are many things to be done. I want to have many more looms going; and the fishing developed; and several new industries started—perhaps even kelp-burning, if there are sufficient beds of seaweed. Why, I consider I am only beginning now. I have been simply clearing the way—getting fair rents fixed—and all that; and—and I don’t want to be interfered with, in that rude fashion. Give me time. Let me have my chance first. Then if I fail——" "Oh, but we shan’t talk of failure," said he, good-naturedly. "Failure would be too cruel a return for all your kindness to these people." He stayed till very near dinner-time: those two seemed to have so much to say to each other—and not about the Lochgarra estate only. Directly he had gone, Mary said, in quite an eager and excited fashion— "Käthchen, if I had had the courage of a mouse, I’d have asked him to dine with us! Why shouldn’t I? Don’t you think I might—the next time? Don’t you think I might? It is so pleasant for neighbours to be on neighbourly terms. And just imagine what his life must be out in that little island, seeing no one. It seems to me that, situated as we are, it is almost a duty to ask him to come to the house. And why not to dinner? If he comes in, and has tea with us, why not dinner? What is the difference between tea and dinner?" "He has very eloquent eyes," said Käthchen, demurely. "He seemed much pleased with his visit this evening." "Käthchen," said Mary, and she seemed a little restless, and yet very happy withal: she went to the window occasionally to look at nothing, and appeared quite oblivious of the fact that the dinner-gong had just sounded—"Käthchen, do you remember the blue and gold embroidered scarf that I told you could be so easily turned into a hood for the opera?" "I’m sure I do!" said Käthchen, little dreaming of what was coming. "Then I’m going to give you that—yes, I will—now, don’t protest——" "Indeed I must, though, Mamie," said Käthchen, warmly. "Why, what use would it be to me? And you know how admirably it suited your complexion and the colour of your hair. What mania for giving has seized you this afternoon? I thought you were going to throw away the whole of the Lochgarra estate; and I was glad to see Mr. Ross put some curb on your wildness. And I must say you were very amenable, Mamie. You’re not quite so self-willed when Mr. Ross is talking to you——"