I deliberately poured out my coffee and drank it; I cut a hunk of bread, buttered it, and ate it. All the time I was saying fiercely to myself, "It isn't true; it is a practical joke that father is playing on me." I was so fiercely, terribly indignant with myself for even allowing the thought of that word, which from ordinary lips would be applied to Miss Donnithorne, to come so near my own lips, that I had no time to remember that father was the very lost man to play a practical joke on any one. Hannah came into the room. I looked at Hannah. Her face was quite unsmiling, quite everyday. If it was true Hannah would know--certainly Hannah would know; she would be the last person to be kept in ignorance. "Why, Miss Dumps--sakes alive, child! You'll be late for school. Hurry up. Whatever are you pondering about? What's the matter?" "Nothing. What should be the matter? Hannah, I have got a little money; father left it with me." "That's something queer," said Hannah. "How much did he give you?" "Five shillings." "My word! Sakes alive! The man must have lost his senses!" When Hannah said this I rushed up to her, and clasped both her hands, and said, "Oh Hannah, Hannah darling, say that again--say it again!" "Whatever am I to say over again? I've no time to repeat my words." "Oh Hannah, do say it once more! Father has lost--" "What little sense he ever had," said Hannah. "Don't keep me, Dumps." She had laid a hideous iron tray on the table, and with a noisy clatter she put the cups and saucers on it. "When people have lost their senses they say and do all sorts of queer things, don't they?" I asked. "My word, child, they do!" "And other people, when they know that they have lost their senses, don't believe them?" "Believe 'em? Who'd ever believe what people who have gone crazy say and do?" I rushed up to Hannah and hugged and kissed her. "I'll be in time for school," I said, "for I'll run all the way. Get me a little chop for dinner--please do, Hannah; and--and to-night we'll have supper, and we'll ask Von Marlo, and you shall come and have supper with us, dear, darling Hannah!" Hannah grinned. "You're wonderful coaxing in your ways just now, Dumps. I can't make out what sort of maggot you've got in your head. But there! you shall have your chop; it's as cheap as anything else."