"Because he had to get back to Aldershot," replied Brenda, pouring out the tea. "They are very busy down there." "Oh, Brenda, do you think there will be war? How glad I am that William has retired." "That is not the speech of a true soldier's wife, Aunt Judy." "My dear, it's all very well talking," replied Mrs. St. Leger, testily, "but you don't know what war is. I don't mean these little frontier skirmishes, but a real war--that is truly terrible. I remember the Crimea." "I don't think this will be so bad, auntie. The Transvaal is not Russia." "All the same I fancy they are better prepared than, we think. William says so. He has heard all kinds of rumors at the club. Well, if it's got to be it's got to be. You will have to lose your Harold for a time, dear." "In a good hour be it spoken," cried Brenda, hastily, to avert the omen. "Don't say I'll lose him, aunt. Of course he will go to the front; but don't speak of losing him." "Well, you never know, my dear. Oh, Brenda, I do wish your father were not going to speak at this mass meeting. There is sure to be trouble." "I don't think he'll mind that," said the girl. "My father and those who think with him are doing all they can to bring about the war by confirming Kruger in his obstinacy." "Stuart always was wrong-headed and obstinate," sighed Mrs. St. Leger. "I'm sure I tremble when he comes here. William and he do nothing but wrangle." "Aunt Judy," said Brenda, thinking the present a good opportunity, "do you know I am deplorably ignorant about my family?" "Ignorant, my dear? how do you mean? Your mother, I know, was a sweet woman, and died all too young. If she had only lived Stuart might have been very different." "I was thinking more of my father, aunt. Is he your only brother?" Mrs. St. Leger almost dropped her cup. She looked scared and her face blanched. "Why do you ask me that, Brenda?" she asked in a faltering voice. "Because I have seen a man so like my father as to make me think he must be some relative--possibly a brother." "Where did you see him?" "At Chippingholt. Aunt Judy, tell me, who is he?" Mrs. St. Leger recovered herself. "My dear Brenda, how should I know who the man is? You have been misled probably by a chance resemblance." "The resemblance was too strongly marked to be mere chance. And my father--" Brenda checked herself. "Auntie, surely you can answer a simple question?" "What is it you want to know?" asked the old lady, nervously. "Have you two brothers?" "No. Your father is my only brother," said Mrs. St. Leger, but by the way in which she said it Brenda knew that she spoke falsely. CHAPTER X. THE MASS MEETING.