"I think, my dear, you did not count the cost before you invited these children, and did not make proper provision for them." "Count the cost!" "I mean you acted on the impulse of the moment and never thought what it would involve. The impulse was good, but it does not do to act on impulse alone. You wanted to do a real kindness, but I doubt as a matter of fact if it has proved anything of the sort. The children will go back the worse rather than the better, as far as I can see, for their visit. You see you consulted no one; and you are quite ignorant of the poor of London, and have no idea how much supervision these children really need if any good is to be done. I hope I am not discouraging you?" "I feel fearfully discouraged, all the more as every word you say is true. I am afraid I am a creature of impulse. I wonder if I shall ever do anything that is worth doing. I know too that I have worn everyone out. I suppose you know Jane, nice Jane, has given warning." "Yes, I know." "And as for you, you are quite prostrate with it all, poor dear. I've been simply horrid not to take you into account. I don't seem to give pleasure to anyone." "You can't say that, so long as I am with you," said Miss Gregson patting the girl's hand. "I'm afraid," said Sheila, "that you don't think I really ought to send those children away." "No, I don't. But it is no use keeping them if we do not make some effort to make them better than when they came. I should advise you to get in some nice woman who is used to children, to take the charge of them while they are here. That will set us free to do what we can to influence them aright." "Oh, you must not expect me to do that," said Sheila, "it is quite beyond me. Besides I want doing good to myself. But you, dear Angel, will be able to talk to the children. I should like you to. But you look dreadfully tired. I reproach myself very much. However," she added suddenly with an amused twinkle in her eyes, "you have your dear little pilules to keep you company. Did you remember to take one after every shock you had, and was it ignatia this time or Bella Donna?" and with this she rose laughing, and danced out of the room. "Will the child ever steady down!" sighed Miss Gregson. CHAPTER VII ONE OF SHEILA'S SURPRISES BUT Miss Gregson did not at all agree with Sheila in her opinion of the children. To her they were not "little horrors" but lost lambs, for whom the Good Shepherd of the sheep was seeking, and during the last week of their stay at the Court she did what she could to tell them of the Friend Who loved them. Sheila took now but small notice of her young guests. She had secured a nice woman from the village to look after them, one who knew how to manage, having had children of her awn, and except for occasional games Sheila saw little of them. She was tired, she informed Miss Gregson; and they had utterly disappointed her by their rude and ungrateful behaviour.