"Marjory Valentine's coming," said Mrs. Dennison. "You like her, don't you, Madge?"
"She's a girl," said Madge scornfully; and Harry, with a laugh, stroked her hair again.
"You're a little flirt," said he.
"But why can't Tom?" persisted Madge, as she attacked the banana. It was Mrs. Cormack's gift, but—non olet.
For a moment nobody answered. Then Harry Dennison said—not in the least as though he believed it, or expected anybody else to believe it—
"Tom's got to stay and work."
"Have all the gentlemen we know got to stay and work?"
Mrs. Cormack was leaning forward. A moment later she sank back, hiding a smile behind her napkin; for Madge observed, in a tone of utter contentment,
"Oh, then, Mr Ruston won't come;" and she wagged her head reassuringly at the open-mouthed little ones. They were satisfied, and fell again to eating.