“You are rather short,” explained the excellently mannered footman. “I stopped growin’ a purpose,” said Louisa, kicking the footstool aside. “You don’t resemble your sister at all.” “Mustn’t let her hear you say that,” remarked Louisa, “else she’ll be mad.” “It’s been a very dull season in town,” said Mr. Danks regretfully. “Have you been away, then?” “I suppose you get a good many engagements, Miss Barnes? What I mean to say is, don’t you find it a great tax? The demands of society seem to increase year by year.” “It’s some’ing awful,” agreed Louisa. “I shall be out again—let me see—” “To-morrow night?” “In about six weeks’ time, to a cantata at Maze Pond Chapel. Scarcely gives you time to breathe, does it?” Alice perceived that her brother was growing moody in his solitude, and brought up to him the French lady’s maid, who, discovering that he had once spent a day at Boulogne—conveyed to and fro by a free pass—talked to him vivaciously on the superiority of her native country over all others. The young woman at the pianoforte, aroused from a brief nap, was ordered to play a schottische. At this point the evening suffered a check. It was Cook’s fault. Cook, fearing that the hours were not moving with enough rapidity, suggested games; suggested also one called the Stool of Repentance. Necessary for one person to leave the room, and Mr. Danks being selected for this honour, went out, and the others thereupon selected libellous statements, of which Erb took charge. “Come in, King Robert of Sicily,” called Erb. Mr. Danks entered, and was ordered by Cook (hugging herself with enjoyment) to take a chair in the centre of the kitchen. “Someone says you’re conceited.” “That’s you,” said Mr. Danks pointing to Alice. “Wrong!” remarked Erb. “Someone says all the gels laugh at you.” “That’s you,” decided Mr. Danks, pointing at Cook. Cook now convulsed with amusement. “Wrong again! Someone says you can’t recite for nuts.” “I say,” urged Mr. Danks, wriggling on the chair, “I’m as fond of a joke as anyone, but really— That sounds like you, miss.” Louisa shook her head negatively. “You’re not lucky, old man. Someone says you’ll never get married in all your life for the simple reason that no one wants you.” “That’s you this time, at any rate,” cried Mr. Danks, with melancholy triumph. And, as Louisa it was, the short young woman had to go out. “Come in!” cried Erb, when the accusations had been decided upon. “Some of ’em have been making it warm for you, Louiser.” “I’ll make it hot for them, Erb.” “Someone says you’d be a fine looking gel if you were twice as broad and three times as long.” “Cook!” exclaimed Louisa. Cook, slightly disappointed at this swift identification, made her way out with a large sigh of regret at enforced exercise. It was determined now to show more ingenuity, and Cook had to knock two or three times ere permission could be given for her return.