‘I fancy they are as good as their parents will allow them to be. It all depends upon that.’ ‘How so?’ asked Sebastian. Anything to prolong the conversation! ‘Mr. and Mrs. Galloway are supplied with the newest ideas upon all subjects, education included. The new education theory is, that when children are allowed their own way, they always do right; or if they do wrong some one else is to blame for it. That is why I say they are as good as their parents will allow them to be.’ ‘And are you generally the “some one else” who is to blame?’ he asked, wishing very much that she would utter some complaint, afford him some chance of offering sympathy or expressing fellow-feeling. ‘Oh no!’ she replied, quite cheerfully. ‘I only come in for my share, and they really are very fond of me; only they show it in rather a funny way. That is why I can’t see any one before four o’clock. I leave them then--reluctantly, of course,’ she added, with a smile which vexed Sebastian, because he could not tell whether it was feigned or not; ‘but still, I leave them.’ ‘Won’t you sit down in this chair,’ he said reproachfully, ‘and tell me all about yourself?’ He moved the chair forward for her, for he saw that she looked tired, and indeed she was very tired, and Sebastian looked to her wearied eyes, so kind, so handsome, and so agreeable, that it was with difficulty she maintained her little air of dignified reserve: but the voice within was a powerful one: ‘What right has he to look at me in that gentle, reproachful way, as if he, and not poor mamma and I, had been neglected? It is impertinent, and I won’t submit to it.’ ‘No, thank you,’ she said aloud, looking at her watch. ‘It is time to go. We must take a Victoria Park omnibus, and it will pass in three minutes. Come, children! Jacky, Amy, Ted! we must go.’ They came obediently enough, their failing appearing to be in affection towards each other. They lavished affectionate epithets upon their governess, and quarrelled, as Helena said, ‘because I have not three hands;’ but they cast looks of suspicion upon each other, and took every opportunity of falling out. ‘Good afternoon!’ said Helena to Sebastian, and as the children crowded round her and clasped her hands, she was not displeased to see that his face fell. She was glad that he should see that she was not altogether an object of pity. ‘I am going too,’ he said. ‘I will see you into the omnibus. It will save you a little trouble. Come, young lady, take hold of my hand, or you will tear Miss Spenceley to pieces.’ The little girl put her hand in his contentedly enough, merely informing her brothers that they were ‘nasty, selfish things,’ and the procession went downstairs. As they stood on the top of the steps, waiting for the omnibus, Sebastian, turning once more to Helena, said, ‘You have not told me the number of your house. What is it?’