Freda could never bear to be shabby like the rest of us, and I remember that when I came out of the house and found her waiting for me on the lawn in the sun, I thought she looked as fine as heart could desire. She was wearing her sailor hat, and had tucked a large bunch of dark Camille de Rohan roses into her belt; and the green frock, with her pale face and red lips, and all her little golden rings of hair like a baby's, was charming. I was rather down at heel, and my dress was crumpled, and I swung my hat by the string as I walked. I dare say I made a most effective contrast to Freda, who was so spick and span and fresh and cool, though it was very hot weather. Well, we sat blinking like cats in the big shady drawing-room after the brilliant sun outside, and then dear old Mrs. Doyne came in and kissed us, and, having made us sit near her, kept stroking Freda's hand absently, as she had a way of doing. She had asked after everybody, and had rung the bell for tea before she came to what was quite an exciting piece of news for our corner of the world. "I have a young gentleman staying with me, my dears, a friend of Alick's, and such a nice lad." "Oh, Mrs. Doyne," said I, "but isn't he a bother, and how do you manage to keep him amused?" "Well, you see, my dear, the poor young fellow's not very strong. He's home on sick leave, and he promised Alick he wouldn't return without bringing him news of his old mother. And so when he was kind enough to come all this long way to keep his word with my Alick, and seemed to find the country so beautiful, and the summer here so mild and sweet, I could do no less than ask him to stay--could I, Hilda, my dear? And would you believe it?--he seemed quite pleased to be asked." "And why shouldn't he be?" I said. "It's easy enough to be happy in this house. Only I was thinking of an ordinary man. Sons and brothers are different, of course; but one always thinks a man must be wanting to do something. Of course if he's ill it makes all the difference." "He's scarcely ill now," said Mrs. Doyne. "He says he finds the air here wonderfully curative. And I assure you Susan and I enjoy cosseting him. It's almost like having Alick to pet again; though, of course, Alick, dear fellow, was never ill, and no subject for our port-wine jellies, and beaten-up eggs which Mr. Hazeldine seems to enjoy so much." "What does he do all day?" asked Freda. "Oh, he's not at all troublesome, my dear. He likes to lie in the sun, with his cap over his eyes, and soak in the air, as he says. Or he reads and talks to me when I am ready for him, or knocks the billiard balls about, or takes long walks with Rory. Poor Rory hasn't had such good times since his master went away. Oh, by the way, I thought of making a little picnic and asking you young people. Just ourselves, you know, to Inver Waterfall. I could have the barouche out for any one who didn't care to walk, and the donkey-cart could take over the hampers."