"I shall try," she said.

"I shall try--hard." He patted her head and turned away.
Mr.Lorimer and Miss Whalley entered the room.

The former raised his brows momentarily at the sight of Piers, but he greeted him with much geniality.
"I am quite delighted to welcome you to the children's Christmas party," he declared, with Piers' hand held impressively in his.

"And how is your grandfather, my dear lad ?" Piers contracted instinctively.

"He is quite well, thanks," he said.