Josie asked this question at the luncheon table. "She dare not do that," said Justin. "Why? When she gets away, she can do what she likes." "She's made me a promise. Promises must be kept." Anstice nodded brightly at Josie. "Yes, I mean to come back," she said; "I told you long ago, didn't I, that nothing would drive me away." "We don't want to drive you away, now," said Georgie; "it's much nicer when you're here. It was horrid when you were up in your bedroom." "Thank you, Georgie." Before she went, Anstice had a long and confidential talk with Josie. "I'm going to make you responsible for good behaviour," she said; "but I don't want you to boss Georgie too much. Coax her; don't scold her when she wants to do anything she ought not. I want you to act as the eldest daughter of the house should. You must come down to the dining-room for breakfast whilst I am away, and pour out your father's coffee, and sit at one end of the table. Look after him, and do little things for him." Josie giggled, but she adopted an important air. "Oh, I'll look after things," she said airily. Anstice gave her one or two special small duties to do in her absence, such as feeding the birds in the aviary and watering the plants, and arranging flowers for the dining-room table. She had a good many last words to say. To Mrs. Parkin, to Brenda, to Georgie and Ruffie. The evening before she went away, Ruffie was sitting on his father's knee in the smoking-room. She went in to tell him it was bedtime. "Come here, Steppie," Ruffie said; "Dad is going to teach me chess. I'll be able to play when you come back." "That will be splendid. I haven't played chess for many years, but I remember I used to be fond of it." Ruffie held out his hand to her, and she went down on her knees at his side. "What is it, darling?" she asked. He had one small arm tightly round his father's neck; with an impish look in his eyes, he suddenly shot out his other arm and encircled her neck with it. Then with a swift jerk, he brought their heads close together. "Now kiss each other," he said with his mischievous chuckle. "Why don't grown-up people kiss each other? You must. I shan't let you go till you've done it." Justin promptly took advantage of the occasion. But Anstice, with burning cheeks, broke away from Ruffie's clutch. The child sank back, and leaning his head on his father's shoulder said: "Rather as'hausting that was! When I bring Josie's and Georgie's heads together, I give them a crack!" "You're a veritable Puck," said his father, laughing. And Anstice joined in the laugh, she could not help it. She departed the next morning; and Justin insisted upon accompanying her in the car to Penrith Station. He got her papers, wrapped a travelling rug round her knees in a first-class compartment, and stood leaning his elbow on the window as if he were loath to let her go.