"I feel a new man," said Mr Amberley, when it was over. "It is wonderful how supporting really tasty food is. My dear Brenda, I thank you." She bowed to him--a mocking light in her eyes which he did not observe. CHAPTER ELEVEN. REACTION. It was after dinner that Fanchon approached her governess. "I hope you enjoyed your dinner," she said. "Yes; it was very good," said Brenda. "When do you feel inclined to have a chat with me?" pursued Fanchon. "Not just at present," answered Brenda. "But you'd better be quick about it, for we mean always to live well in the future. Joey and I think that we might order a crab for supper to-night--papa loves crabs." Brenda was silent. "When can we have our talk?" continued Fanchon. "Well, I don't think just at present; will you give me until evening? Order what you wish to-day, but don't be too extravagant, you'll only have an illness. I give you plain food, for it is really best from every point of view, and your father's allowance of housekeeping money is very limited." "I can ask him, of course, what he does give," said Fanchon. "No, no; don't do that--" "And," continued Fanchon, as though she had not heard the last remark, "I can find out what the butcher's bills, and the green grocer's, and the grocer's come to per week. I shall be rather clever about these things in future." Brenda made no reply. After a minute's pause, she said: "Would you really like me to leave you?" "I think, on the whole, I should very much." "You would wish to give up going to Marshlands-on-the-Sea?" "No--that would be a disappointment." "You can't go there without me." "Oh--I suppose we could get some one else." "There is no one else whom your father would trust." Fanchon was silent and a little thoughtful. "I have a plan to propose to you, Fanchon," said her governess suddenly; "but I shall not propose it now--I will keep it until to-night. To-night, at ten o'clock, come to my room and I will talk to you. In the meantime, tell the other girls that for to-day, just for to-day, they may do as they please. Now let me be alone; I have a headache." Fanchon danced off to communicate this news to her sisters. "The cat's caving in like anything," she said. "We shall have a jolly, jolly time in future!" "What can we have to eat at tea-time?" was Nina's remark. "Oh--you little goose," exclaimed Fanchon, "you can't possibly be hungry yet." "But I shall be hungry when tea-time comes." "Well, get what you like, both of you." "Let's go to the shops this blessed minute," said Nina, turning to Josephine.