Not half an hour after Cobb's departure Louise returned. Emmeline was surprised to see her back so soon; they met near the railway station as Mrs. Mumford was on her way to a shop in High Street. 'Isn't it good of me! If I had stayed longer I should have gone home to quarrel with Cissy; but I struggled against the temptation. Going to the grocer's? Oh, do let me go with you, and see how you do that kind of thing. I never gave an order at the grocer's in my life--no, indeed I never did. Mother and Cissy have always looked after that. And I want to learn about housekeeping; you promised to teach me.' Emmeline made no mention of Mr. Cobb's call until they reached the house. 'He came here!' Louise exclaimed, reddening. 'What impudence! I shall at once write and tell him that his behaviour is outrageous. Am I to be hunted like this?' Her wrath seemed genuine enough; but she was vehemently eager to learn all that had passed. Emmeline made a truthful report. 'You're quite sure that was all? Oh, his impertinence! Well, and now that you've seen him, don't you understand how--how impossible it is?' 'I shall say nothing more about it, Louise. It isn't my business to--' The girl's face threatened a tempest. As Emmeline was moving away, she rudely obstructed her. 'I insist on you telling me what you think. It was abominable of him to come when I wasn't at home; and I don't think you ought to have seen him. You've no right to keep your thoughts to yourself!' Mrs. Mumford was offended, and showed it. 'I have a perfect right, and I shall do so. Please don't let us quarrel. You may be fond of it, but I am not.' Louise went from the room and remained invisible till just before dinner, when she came down with a grave and rather haughty countenance. To Mumford's remarks she replied with curt formality; he, prepared for this state of things, began conversing cheerfully with his wife, and Miss Derrick kept silence. After dinner, she passed out into the garden. 'It won't do,' said Mumford. 'The house is upset. I'm afraid we shall have to get rid of her.' 'If she can't behave herself, I'm afraid we must. It's my fault. I ought to have known that it would never do.' At half-past ten, Louise was still sitting out of doors in the dark. Emmeline, wishing to lock up for the night, went to summon her troublesome guest. 'Hadn't you better come in?' 'Yes. But I think you are very unkind, Mrs. Mumford.' 'Miss Derrick, I really can't do anything but leave you alone when you are in such an unpleasant hum our.' 'But that's just what you _oughtn't_ to do. When I'm left alone I sulk, and that's bad for all of us. If you would just get angry and give me what I deserve, it would be all over very soon.' 'You are always talking about "nice" people. Nice people don't have scenes of that kind.'