"And then, Uncle George, he looked up at the sky out of the top of the Tower, and bent his knee and crossed himself three times, like this." Over her young breast her hand did what his had done. "'And you promise it wasn't your fault?' I said. "'That was my promise, Jennie,' he said. "'Then,' I said, 'I don't want to hear another word about it. I won't listen. You're not to tell me any more.' "So I wouldn't listen, and when he opened his mouth I just did this----" And laughingly, with her hands tight over her ears, she shook her head. She would no more peep behind his word than she would have peeped into his note. "And all this was yesterday?" "Yes." "Where is he to-day?" "I only saw him just for a minute this morning. He wouldn't let me go with him to-day. He said I must come to you and tell you what I've just told you. So I waited till father and mother had gone out and then I came." "And when father and mother come back? How do I stand? What am I to do?" She sat straight up. "To do, Uncle George? But you _promised_ him!" "I promised him for the moment." "Well, this _is_ the moment, isn't it? You'll see him as soon as ever you get up again, won't you?" "Between the two of you I don't seem to have very much choice," I muttered.... Suddenly through the open window came the sound of voices below. Alec and Madge had returned. Jennie flew to my glass, and then, apparently finding all well there, turned, smiled, and put her finger on her lips. She was busily packing up my tray when Madge entered. "Well, decided to live, George?" the kind creature rallied me. "All sorts of sympathetic messages for you from the Nobles and the Fergusons and the Tank Beverleys--run-after creature that you are! Been to sleep?" "No." Jennie passed behind her mother with the tray. She gave me a half-veiled glance as she did so. Then, almost imperceptibly, she brushed her mother's shoulder with her lips. And well, I thought, she might! "Jennie been reading to you?" said Madge. "No, we've just been talking." "Well, you'll have somebody else to talk to the day after to-morrow. We didn't want to trouble you with the affairs of this world when you were at death's door, but who do you think's coming?" I made a great effort. "Animal, vegetable or mineral?" "Angel, whichever that is," said Madge. "I've angels enough about me." "Pooh!... Julia Oliphant's coming. So you'd better get your colour back in case she wants to paint that portrait here." With which comforting words she took up my bowl of quite fresh flowers and marched off to get some more. PART III THE CUT-OUT I "But won't you find it a little cold?" "Cold!" Julia laughed. "If Jennie can I can; why, it's a heavenly day! But are you quite warm? You're the one we have to coddle." "Oh, I'm quite all right. Well, that's your tent, the green-striped one. I'll walk along to the rocks."