He glanced at his wife as he suppressed a smile. The matter in regard to Lady Ellis puzzled him--at least, the proposed residence with Mrs. Chester; but he supposed he might not inquire further. "Should you like to take home some trout, Penelope?" "That I should. Have you any to give?" "I'll have them put up for you, the fellow brace to these. Mind the youngsters don't get the bones in their throats." "They must take their chance," was the philosophical reply. "Children were never sent for anything but our torment. I am going to pack the two young ones off to school." "Have you further news from the Clergy Orphan School about James?" "News! Yes. It is all cross together. There's not the least chance for him, they write me word, at the election in November; I must try again later. And now, Clara, I want you and your husband to come to me for Sunday and Monday. Will you promise? I came over purposely to ask you." Mrs. Lake did not immediately answer. "You can come on Sunday morning in time for church, and remain until Tuesday. I don't ask you to come on Saturday evening; we shall be busy until late. The Jupps are coming." "All of them?" asked Mr. Lake. "Not all. I don't know where I should put them. Some of the girls: Mary and Margaret for two; and Oliver. I have three spare bedrooms nearly ready." "Three spare bedrooms? And you grumbling about the purse's shallowness!" "Allow me to manage my own affairs," said Mrs. Chester, equably. "You will say 'Yes,' will you not, Clara? I want to show you my house; you have never seen it." Clara Lake did say "Yes;" but at the same time there was a feeling in her heart prompting her to say "No." She neither listened to it nor gave way to it; and yet she was conscious that it was there, as she well remembered afterwards. "And now I must be going," said Mrs. Chester, putting on her bonnet and mantle. "You will come with me to the station, Robert?" They started together: he carrying the basket of fish: and walked slowly. As he remarked, they had plenty of time. "I know it," she said. "I came on early to talk to you." "About Lady Ellis and her projected visit?" he quickly rejoined. "I thought there was some scheme agate by the kick you gave me." "Robert, I must scheme to live." "I think you must if you are to keep three spare bedrooms for visitors." "I am left a widow, Robert, with a fair amount of furniture, and a wretched pittance of two hundred a year. How am I to live like a lady and educate the children?" "But why need you have taken so large a house?" "What am I to do? How am I to eke out my means? I cannot lose caste. I can't go and open a shop; I can't turn Court milliner; I can't begin and speculate in the funds; I can't present myself to the Government or the Bank of England directors, and make a curtsey, and say, 'Please, gentlemen, double my income for me, and then perhaps I can manage to get along.' _Can_ I?" added Mrs. Chester, fiercely. "I never said you could."