CHAPTER II.
WHICH CANTERS ROUND A PARISH PUMP Not until the second bell was about to cease ringing did Theresa Bilson--fussily consequential--reappear at The Hard.
During the absence of the master of the house she would have much preferred high tea in the schoolroom, combined with a certain laxity as to hours and to dress; but Damaris, in whom the sense of style was innate, stood out for the regulation dignities of late dinner and evening gowns.

To-night, however, thanks to her own unpunctuality, Miss Bilson found ample excuse for dispensing with ceremonial garments.
"No--no--we will not wait," she said, addressing Mary and her attendant satellite, Laura, the under-housemaid, as--agreeably ignorant of the sentiment of a servants' hall which thirsted for her blood--she passed the two standing at attention by the open door of the dining-room.

"I am not going to change.

I will leave my hat and things down here--Laura can take them to my room later--and have dinner as I am." During the course of that meal she explained how she had really quite failed to observe the hour when she left the Grey House.

Commander and Mrs.Battye were at tea there; and the vicar--Dr.Horniblow--looked in afterwards.