Norman and Hilda, with scrambling feet and buttered fingers, were making Alice’s life a burden to her; and she was by no means so tolerant of these young aggravations as her husband would have been. “More sugar; more sugar, Alice!” cried Norman, passing a very sloppy cup recklessly towards her. “No, my dear Norman; I gave you two lumps.” “Give me another two, for I have fished them out and eaten them. Come, look sharp!” “Norman!” “If you don’t I’ll take that arrow out of your hair and pull it all down, and you’ll see how nice you’ll look if visitors come.” “If you do----” began Alice indignantly. Just at this crisis the door opened and admitted Mark, Geoffrey, and Reginald. The children made a violent charge towards the latter. “Uncle Regy, Uncle Regy! where have you been all this long time? What have you brought us?” they cried, leaping and dancing expectantly round him. Alice glanced up hastily. He was shaking hands with Helen. What was she to do? Would he shake hands with her? Yes; in another second she found her hand in his; and then he turned to the children. “Give me a cup of tea, Alice,” said Geoffrey, drawing a chair close to the tea-table, and staring at her with a very unpleasant critical scrutiny. Her hands trembled so violently she could hardly hold the teapot; the colour sank from her cheeks, and her heart beat so fast it seemed as if it would choke her; but she made a brave struggle for self-command, and endeavoured to converse easily and indifferently with Geoffrey whilst her husband was talking to Helen. Presently she stole a look at him; he was standing on his favourite place--the rug--and she met point-blank the steady glance of his keen dark eyes, fixed on herself--a look full of interest, yet grave and stern. She felt her face becoming crimson, and dived under the table for her handkerchief, glad of an opportunity of composing her countenance. Dare she take another look? No, she dare not. At this moment visitors were announced, and the bustle consequent on their arrival was the greatest relief.