"But of course Jean wanted to go," she said hurriedly. "more than Mabel did." "Some day you will all have your turn," said Mr. Leighton consolingly. "I know it’s very dull being at home with your parents! Isn’t it?" Elma laughed a little. "It isn’t that," she said, "but it would be lovely--in a hotel--with a maid, you know--of your own! Such fun--seeing the people. And Miss Grace wanted me." Mr. Leighton stroked her hair. "I liked her wanting you. I shall never forget that," said he. "Oh!" Elma gave a little gulp of pleasure. This was worth a great deal. There was really nothing on earth like being complimented by one’s father. She sidled on Mr. Leighton’s knee and put her arms round his neck. He still stroked her hair. "You must remember that it isn’t only in hotels that you see life," he said, "or on battle-fields that you fight battles. It’s here at home, where one apparently is only sheltered and dull. It’s always easy to get on for a day or two with new, or outside friends. But it’s your own people who count. Don’t make it disagreeable for Jean to go with Miss Grace." His voice came in the nature of a swift command. After all, her mother and father had arranged it, and the consciousness came down on her of how she slighted those two, dearer than any, in being so rebellious. "I won’t," said Elma. Quite a determined little line settled at her quivering lips, "But I never felt so bad in my life." "Oh well, we shall see what can be done about that," said Mr. Leighton. And it pleased him more than a battle-field of victories could have done to see Elma come into her own again. "Do you think you could try the Moonlight Sonata now?" he asked abruptly, looking at his watch. It was his hobby that he must keep at least one girl at the piano in the evenings. "Not without a lot of mistakes," said Elma. But she played better that night than she had ever done. CHAPTER X Compensations Miss Grace brought home a delicate silver purse and a silver chain set with torquoise matrix from Buxton for Elma. Mr. Leighton shook his head over the pretty gift. "Bribery and corruption," said he. But by that time Elma’s soul had soared far above the heights or depths of triumph or pettiness in connection with the sojourn of Miss Grace. Life had been moving swiftly and wonderfully. Jean indeed came home from hotel life, full of stories of its inimitable attractions; and nobody, although longing to be, had really been much impressed. Jean served to mark the milestone of their own development, that was all. She had left at one stage and come back at another. Where she had imagined their standing quite still, they had been travelling new roads, looking back on their childish selves with interest.