'I am a fool for my pains,' he thought, and only said: “Well, what about this invitation, anyway?” “Yes; it will be just the thing for them at the moment.” The words had to Felix a somewhat sinister import. He knew well enough that she did not mean by them what others would have meant. But he said: “When shall we expect them? Tuesday, I suppose, would be best for Clara, after her weekend. Is there no chance of you and Tod?” She quaintly wrinkled her lips into not quite a smile, and answered: “Tod shall say. Do you hear, Tod?” “In the meadow. It was there yesterday—first time this year.” Felix slipped his arm through his brother's. “Quite so, old man.” “What?” said Tod. “Ah! let's go in. I'm awfully hungry....” Sometimes out of a calm sky a few drops fall, the twigs rustle, and far away is heard the muttering of thunder; the traveller thinks: 'A storm somewhere about.' Then all once more is so quiet and peaceful that he forgets he ever had that thought, and goes on his way careless. So with Felix returning to Becket in Stanley's car. That woman's face, those two young heathens—the unconscious Tod! There was mischief in the air above that little household. But once more the smooth gliding of the cushioned car, the soft peace of the meadows so permanently at grass, the churches, mansions, cottages embowered among their elms, the slow-flapping flight of the rooks and crows lulled Felix to quietude, and the faint far muttering of that thunder died away. Nedda was in the drive when he returned, gazing at a nymph set up there by Clara. It was a good thing, procured from Berlin, well known for sculpture, and beginning to green over already, as though it had been there a long time—a pretty creature with shoulders drooping, eyes modestly cast down, and a sparrow perching on her head. “Well, Dad?” “They're coming.” “When?” “On Tuesday—the youngsters, only.” “You might tell me a little about them.” But Felix only smiled. His powers of description faltered before that task; and, proud of those powers, he did not choose to subject them to failure. CHAPTER VIII