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gave at the Golf Club House on the opening day. But Ann felt too self-conscious and unhappy to attend any large gathering of this sort.

Stephanie was to stay on in town with her grand-mother for a few weeks, for the hunting, and golf, and the numerous dances at the Cabaret.

“It’s so dull for the poor child stuck away there in the back-blocks, and we love having her with us,” said Mrs. Ford on Thursday morning, when she called to see Ann and to purchase a winter hat. “By the way, Rhoda’s in town today—she’s driving me and the twins out to a meet of the hounds. Stephanie’s riding. Why not come with us in the car?” Ann looked a little doubtful. “You can’t plead business, you know,” went on Mrs. Ford. “It’s early closing day.”

“I’ve always work to do.”

“Nonsense—you’ve had your nose to the grindstone far too much lately. A run into the country and a little fresh air may bring some color into those pale cheeks. We’re taking tea in the car, and shall just follow round as well as we can, and may not see a soul to speak to—not even Stephanie.”

Ann put forward some more excuses, but Mrs. Ford would not listen to any of them.

“That’s settled then. We shall call for you about one-thirty, and you are coming back to dinner with us.”

After her visitor’s departure, Ann began to feel glad that her objections had been overruled. She was tired to death of hats and frocks, and needles and pins, and to see a hunt would be a novel and exciting experience.

She wrapped up warmly, for it was a cold gray day,