"Yes, I did. An uncommonly sensible little woman; but her workmen were bunglers. I passed by and lent a hand." "I can see you do it!" "She's got some very good bits of furniture," the Major pursued, "and this gigantic bureau, of course, came to pieces. They only wanted a screwdriver, but none of them had thought of it. She's come from Norfolk, she told me, and is a widow." "Does she know anybody here?" "Yes. She's a connection of Mrs. de Cressiers." "Oh, she'll be all right, then. I wonder Austin did not tell us about her. He was here yesterday. Is she all alone, poor thing?" "My dear Sidney, a 'poor thing' doesn't apply to her. Wait till you make her acquaintance." "I don't know that I'm fond of widows," Sidney said meditatively. "Is she old or young?" "Young—quite young; a very sensible young woman! So natural. I've promised to put her up a shelf or two to-morrow. She has some good books, but no place to put them." "Well," said Sidney admiringly, "you have got on!" The Admiral chuckled. "You'll be kept busy, Ted," he said. "Mark my words, if she has her wits about her, she'll make use of you. I should, if I were in her shoes. You're a first-rate carpenter." "She gave me a first-rate cup of tea," said Major Urquhart; "boiled some water up in a spirit lamp in a jiffy. She's good for emergencies, I can tell you! Wasn't flustered or fussed, but sat down and told me a rattling good story of an experience she had in Ireland with the Paddies. Her husband was a soldier. She seems to have been in all quarters of the globe." "She sounds interesting," said Sidney; "I'll call on her as soon as ever I can." "I told her you'd be down first thing to-morrow morning, and she's coming to lunch. Her maid doesn't come to her till to-morrow evening." The Admiral laughed out. "I wonder you didn't offer her a bed, and bring her back to dinner," he said. "I offered it," said the Major, quite unabashed. "I knew Sidney would be delighted, but she declined." "But why hasn't Mrs. de Cressiers befriended her, if she is a connection?" asked Sidney. "I didn't ask. Shouldn't think she's a little woman to hang on to her connections; too independent for that." "But," began Sidney; and then she stopped herself. She was about to say that surely connections should be asked for hospitality before strangers; but she knew how impulsive her uncle was, and did not want to hurt his feelings. "You have rather rushed me into a call," she said. "It's only neighbourly to show her the ropes in a strange place," said her uncle. And Sidney assented, wondering if she could see Mrs. de Cressiers before she went. Fortunately, after dinner Austin walked in. "Came down to be livened up!" he confided to Sidney. "The governor is extra grumpy; the mother on her high horse, so I cut." "Now you can tell us about the new arrival at Lovelace's Cottage," Sidney said eagerly. "She's a connection of yours?" "Never heard of her. Who do you mean?"