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all? Thank heaven Biddy and Jo are well and happy at Mrs. Marley’s, though they’re often homesick and are looking forward to their holidays. I suppose I could have them here, if I could get some motherly soul to house-keep for me for a few weeks. It would be great to have them with me for a short time, and it might possibly be arranged, for Waring thinks he could get his married couple to stay here over the holidays. He’ll most probably be away again then. He’s going to Wellington on business. There’s some talk of his cutting up Kopu. The Government may take part of the place over for closer settlement.

“The polo team did well in Hawkeston, and Waring seems rather amused that Rodney made such a hit with everybody during the tournament. Apparently the women made no end of a fuss of him. He’s a good-looking lad, and I’ve always thought a lot of him, though lately it has seemed to me that he’s avoided me. I’m quite sure this isn’t because of my changed circumstances. He isn’t the sort to desert the sinking ship. In fact he very generously offered to stay on for next to nothing, but that wouldn’t have helped me, except that I’d have liked his companionship, so I made him take this droving job. Perhaps it’s only my imagination that he’s changed. When one’s position is altered one’s apt to fancy slights when they aren’t intended, I think. Not that I’ve had any to put up with. Everybody’s been no end kind to me.”

Ann read this letter with a little pang of something that she realized was very like jealousy. Yet she was generous enough to be glad that Rodney had been as Holmes put it, “made a fuss of.” And though they were never likely to be more tham friends in future, she was conscious of a little thrill of pride in hearing