The first thing Sam caught sight of when he came home was Alice and Cecil walking up and down the garden very comfortably together, talking and laughing.
He did not like to see this.

He dreaded Cecil's powers of entertainment too much, and it made him angry to hear how he was making Alice laugh.
Then, when the four came into the house, this offending couple took no notice of them at all, but continued walking up and down in the garden, till Jim, who, not being in love, did'nt care twopence whether his sister came in or not, went out to the verandah, and called out "Hi!" "What now ?" said Alice, turning round.
"Why, we're come home," said Jim, "and I want you." "Then you won't get me, impudence," said Alice, and began walking up and down again.

But not long after, having to come in, she just said, "How do, Mr.Halbert ?" and passed on, never speaking to Sam.

Now there was no reason why she should have spoken to him, but "Good evening, Mr.
Buckley," would not have hurt anybody.

And now in came Cecil, with that unlucky rose, and Jim immediately began,-- "Hallo, Cis, where did you get your flower ?" "Ah, that's a secret," said Cecil, with an affected look.
"No secret at all," said Alice, coming back.