"Partly. What do they call you? 'Steppie,' isn't it?" "Yes. Ruffie has christened me that, short for stepmother. He and I have become great pals already, over his drawing. That child is a born artist." "You may be glad to know that when I asked how everybody was, Josie answered, 'We're all right. Have got some one at last with a little sense!' 'I hope you're very polite and nice to her,' I said. 'Oh, we shall treat her as she treats us.' 'And how is that?' I asked. 'Scrumptious!' was the short reply." Anstice laughed. "We shall get along," she said. "I shall have things my own way in time; but I have to go slowly." "Well, now; we must keep you from feeling lonely," said good-natured Mrs. Wykeham. "Will you lunch with me next Tuesday, and I'll get some of our neighbours to come and meet you?" "Do you know that I would much rather come to you alone. I want to be quiet here for the present. There is a great deal to see to, and to arrange. I don't intend to be a hermit, but I don't want to plunge into social life just yet. I would rather have no callers till the house is more shipshape." "I understand; then I won't ask a soul. There will be my husband and myself only. I will send my car for you." Then she asked about servants, and was able to recommend a good strong girl who had been with her as kitchen-maid, and wanted to do housework as she did not care for cooking. "You shall see her when you come over." Though she was thoroughly kind, Anstice was relieved when the visit was over. Anstice was not fond of being managed; and Mrs. Wykeman always gave her friends the impression that they were poor inefficients, and that she was the only one in the neighbourhood who had sound common sense and capability. Anstice never forgot her first Sunday in her new home. It was a lovely day in early June. At breakfast the little girls came in, and told her they wanted to go on the lake. "You have the boathouse key, Brenda says." "Yes, but you and I are going to church this morning." "Georgie and I hate church," said Josie hastily; "we haven't been for months." "Yes, I know that; but you are coming with me to please me this morning. You have a big family seat, I hear. How can I fill it by myself? You will come to church with me to-day, and then I will come on the lake with you to-morrow. Isn't that just and fair? You know you are not allowed to boat alone." "We weren't going to. We were going to sit in the boat when it was tied up, and make it rock a bit." They stood there with mutinous eyes. Anstice smiled at them. "Have a piece of toast and honey," she suggested; "it will make things easier. I always think honey acts as oil on troubled waters." She handed them each a slice of toast. For a moment there was doubt as to which side would win, but the honey did it. "We hate wearing best frocks," said Josie, munching away contentedly. "You look very nice in those you are wearing now."