“So just for a matter of silly pride you would throw away a good five dollars which I could not have anyhow, since I cannot be in two places at the same time. I thought better of you, Ellen North, after all Rindy Crump’s training. All right, I’ll get Sophy Bennett to give the music here; she will never refuse the fee, I can assure you.”

“Oh, Mr. Todd, don’t get her; she plays so execrably.”

“Nobody else; it must be you or her.”

“Then I give in. I accept the offer gratefully. A great load is lifted. Thank you a thousand times.”

“Don’t thank me. It is purely a matter of accommodation. I shall have a much better time at the Meadowville wedding. They will make much of me, and will invite me to the wedding feast, something I should not expect here.”

“What is the date? I forgot to ask.”

“A week before Christmas. The bridal couple in each case want to take a wedding trip, and be back in time to celebrate Christmas at home.”

Ellen gave a long sigh of satisfaction. “I was born under a lucky star, I do believe,” she said.

So after all Ellen paid her own travelling expenses, Miss Rindy had a new hat, and both started off in high feather after locking up the house and leaving Wipers to the tender mercies of the Dove-Hales.

CHAPTER IX