"I didn't think my mother would take it lying down. But she'll be all right in a day or two. Don't you fret!" "I never fret!" said Jockie scornfully. Then the light sparkled in her eyes. "You're rather an old blunderbuss with your mother. Go on like a good boy, and do your business, and don't come home before you can help it. You'll find a slight change in her, I venture to prophesy, before the day is over." He shook his head, and after a few more words went his way. Jockie stood and watched him out of sight, then pelted away as fast as she could towards Thanning Towers. She was rather breathless when she arrived at the front door, but was shown at once into the morning-room where Mrs. de Cressiers was sitting. Her face when she saw the girl was a study. But Jockie came forward with both hands outstretched, and such a radiant sunshiny face, that Mrs. de Cressiers could not maintain her icy remoteness. She never knew how she did it, or why she did it, but she had kissed the girl before she realised what she was doing. "I know it's all wrong my coming to you like this," said Jockie humbly; "but I couldn't keep away, for you have been so awfully kind and good to me that I wanted to know how you were feeling; and, dear Mrs. de Cressiers, I'm so honestly fond of you and Mr. de Cressiers, that I promise you I won't bring discord in your family. I know I'm not what you would like as a daughter-in-law, and if you're dead against me, and are quite convinced that Austin will be happier with some other kind of girl, I shall just go away somewhere and hide myself till Austin forgets me. He is so self-willed and obstinate that it would be no good my remaining in the neighbourhood, for he would insist upon meeting me and worrying my life out. I can't help being fond of him, you know; he is such a dear. But I'm fond of you, too, and I do honestly believe I could make Austin a little bit more of a de Cressiers than he is. He doesn't think half enough of himself, does he? "But since your last agent has gone, he has done a lot more in the way of business, hasn't he? I'm always talking to him about it. It's a funny thing to say, but if you could bring your mind to it, how do you think it would be to give me a month's trial as your daughter-in-law! Then, if we're miserable all round and you feel ashamed of me, I could break off the engagement. Now I promise on my honour to do it, but give me a month's trial first. You see, I've had no mother to look after me and tell me things. Comparing myself with Sidney, I see how rough and clumsy and slangy I am. But if you'll have patience and just mother me yourself for a bit, you don't know the good it will do me. And I'll try to my utmost limit to live up to your ideal of a daughter-in-law." Jockie paused for breath. She was so much in earnest, and so full of her subject, that she did not notice a slight relaxation in Mrs. de Cressiers' stern set face.