There was silence for a few minutes. "I should like to know who that young man was," said Doris presently. "Why, Doris, you are coming out in a new _rôle_. It is not like you to be interested in a young man." "The more reason why I should be interested in an exceptional one." "You dear old Doris!" said Mona affectionately. "He talks well, certainly; but what if talking be, like Gretchen's beauty, his _Yerderben_?" "I don't think it likely--not that kind of talking." "Assuredly that kind--if any." But she thought, "Not any. He has chosen the right corrective. If he possesses the gift of utterance, he will at least have something to utter." "It has been such a delightful week," said Doris, "and now another nice long railway journey with you to-morrow will bring it all to an end. You are a highly privileged mortal, Mona, to be able to order your life as you choose." Mona smiled without replying. This was a well-worn subject of debate. "I know what you are going to say," continued Doris. "But it is no use asking me. I don't know _which_ of those little inkstands was the best, and I think you did very wisely in ordering an equal number of both." "Yes," said Mona; "and the hinges were so strong, weren't they? That is the point to look to in a cheap inkstand." "What an age you have been!" said Lucy, as they entered the dining-room, where she was seated by the fire, arrayed in her comfortable dressing-gown. "I was just going to send the bellman after you. So glad to meet you, Miss Colquhoun." "She is not so pretty as I am," Lucy thought, "but Mona will never see that." Certainly Lucy's interest in the afternoon's shopping abundantly atoned for Doris's lofty indifference. "Of course, you had to have the things sent straight to the station," she said, "but I do wish I could have gone with you. Tell me all about it. Where did you go first?" Fortunately Mr Reynolds came in at this moment, so Doris was not forced to go over all the ribbons and flowers and note-paper and what-nots again. "Keep a thing seven years, and its use will come," said Mona. "My childish passion for shop-windows and pretty things has stood me in good stead, you see. You have no idea how crisp and fresh all the things looked. The shop will simply be another place. I need not blush now whenever a new customer comes in." "How I wish I could come and see it!" said Lucy. "I am sure I could 'dress a window' beautifully. Do you think Borrowness would do me as much good as the Riviera? It would come a great deal cheaper, would not it?" "Much," said Mona, smiling; "but the cutting east wind has a knack of finding out one's weak places, and you must not forget that you have a traitor in the garrison now." "It is so awfully unfortunate! My fees are paid, and of course there have been a lot of new books this term. Father simply cannot afford to send me away." "Don't fret. I think you will find that it can be done very cheaply."