"I must tell yer first that I ain't bin told who it is worryin' my pore gal, but I warrant if they'd bin 'ere to see 'er last night they'd 'ave bin fair ashamed of themselves. She was roamin' the 'ouse like a wanderin' spirit, and in the mornin' she was jist as white as 'er nightgown. It seems to me that to make anyone really un'appy without rhyme or reason--and I won't believe Evarne is in the wrong--as I was sayin', to make anyone real miserable is a big thing to 'ave on one's mind in this 'ere world o' sin and woe, full o' the slings and arrers of houtrageous fortune as it is--Shakespeare! In plain talk, sir, a world where we're all certain to 'ave quite enough trouble to digest without them as we cares for most forcin' a hextry dose down our gullets. And no stray flowers, nor even rings nor sich-like, makes up for unkindness--not to the noble mind--Shakespeare! I've lived with Evarne for five years and more, and she's never 'ad one hour's sorrow through my fault. Hexcuse me if I'm takin' liberties I didn't ought, but you've bin 'ome from foreign parts less than a week, and for some reason or other now she's made fair miserable--by someone or other! I'm not sayin' by who, but it's very 'ard for me to see it and not say nothin' at all." Philia paused, somewhat apprehensive at having thus let her feelings carry her away. But Geoff was not displeased by this ardent championship. "My dear Mrs. Harbert," he said seriously, "if it is my fault--and to a certain extent I'm afraid it is--believe me that it was both unintentional and indirect. Evarne shall never have a moment's trouble that I can save her from, be very sure of that." He walked to the window and looked out. "I wonder where she is now?" he went on. "Do you think she will be long?" "Can't say where she is. She jist says, 'It's suffocatin' indoors,' she says, and out she goes. Most likely she'll be back by seven. Anyway, I'm due at the 'Poly' at 'alf-past." "You've always posed, haven't you, Mrs. Harbert?" Philia was decidedly a trifle aggrieved by this query, and answered in wounded tones-- "Now, sir, if yer was a few years older, yer wouldn't need to ask that. There was a time when every hartist in London knew all about Philadelphia 'Arbert, and it wasn't sich a great time ago either." "Evidently I don't know much?" queried Geoff with a good-natured smile. The reply was certainly cutting. "You never 'eard tell of Philadelphia 'Arbert as a model, and you don't know 'ow to keep yer sweet'eart's eyes dry. Well, sir, askin' yer pardin', but you 'ave got somethin' to learn!" The young man bit his lip and did not answer. This silence melted his outspoken critic immediately, and she set to work to be amiable.