She spent her evening in garnering observations, telling herself that she was naturally curious about her new surroundings; what, however, continued to surprise her most, was that she herself appeared to excite less interest. Her cousins, Anne especially, accepted her with kindly goodwill, but when Philippa had said that from the first she was to be treated as one of the family, it was evident that she was not using a figure of speech. No one was in the least overwhelmed by her arrival, nor did it cause any divergence in the currents of interest which flowed strongly. Claudia listened, wondering whether under any circumstances of life could she be carried along by such currents; she hoped that would never be expected of her, but meanwhile could not doubt that expectations of some sort existed, and began to have an unacknowledged desire to say something which should astonish her hostesses. She had no such wish as to Harry Hilton, perhaps instinctively aware that she could impress him by simpler means, and she talked chiefly to him, suiting her remarks to his capacity, while listening as attentively as she could to the remarks which dropped from the others. "Well, Emily," Philippa was saying, "I warn you that if you're going to trust to Mr Helmore's eloquence, your meeting will be a dismal failure. He's a stick. You had better get some one sent down from head-quarters, even if it does increase the expenses." "I really must try to avoid that," said her sister, nervously; "and I assure you I haven't come to the end of my resources yet." "You're a wonderful woman." "Here's Harry," put in Anne. "Harry has done nothing for a long while." "They know my jests by heart. No, no: here is Miss Hamilton." "To make a speech?" asked Claudia, smiling. She was careful to express no surprise, for, so far as she knew, there was no possible reason why she should not make a speech. But Harry was evidently of another opinion. "Good gracious, no!" he protested. "Only to help in the entertainment." "Don't ask her," interrupted Philippa. "She's a Radical." "Of course," said Claudia, calmly; "and a Socialist. I don't see how one can be anything else--that is to say, any one who takes the least interest in his fellow-creatures." She was a little disappointed at the effect upon her listeners. Harry, it is true, became rather redder, and Emily uttered a protesting "Oh!" but Philippa and Anne showed no signs of having received a shock. They were smiling. It was Harry who hastened to say-- "Oh, you'll be converted. You've come to the right house." "I don't think I ever converted any one in my life except old Pentecost, who you all vow is half-witted," said Philippa, shaking her head. "In these days no one is converted. He or she grows up with an idea, and takes in the newspaper which supports it. But I am rather glad about Claudia, and I think she shall make a speech after all." "Just as you like," said Claudia, easily.