"Yes. It was Sam Dart. I believe that was the only occasion on which he opened his lips during all the time he was here. He spoke to some purpose then, didn't he?"
"Did the boys enjoy their tea?" Joy inquired.
"Rather! Uncle Jasper has treated the club very handsomely, hasn't he?"
"Yes, indeed! He is very good and kind. And, do you know," she proceeded happily, "he has been quite nice to me to-day, and once he called me 'my dear,' just as he used to do before—"
"Oh, by the way," Eric broke in, "I want to ask you something. Did that novel there's been so much fuss about belong to Celia, by any chance? You needn't look so startled, Joy. Say yes or no."
But this Joy stoutly declined to do, and though her brother pressed her for an answer to his question, she persistently refused to give it. He grew quite cross with her at length, and declared he would ascertain the truth of the matter. "I believe you're shielding Celia," he said, suspiciously; "and since you're so obstinate, I won't tell you why I think so. I know more than you imagine, and I'll find out the rest."
[CHAPTER XVII.]
THE FLOWER SHOW.
THE morning of the T— flower show dawned clear and bright, with the promise of a cloudless day. It would have been oppressively hot but for the breeze which sprang up about noon, bringing with it a taste of fresh, moorland air. The show was to be held in a large field on the outskirts of the town, and was to be formally opened at two o'clock by the member who represented the division in which T— was situated in Parliament; so that after an early luncheon Lulu Tillotson and her visitor hurried to their respective rooms to be dressed in time to accompany Mr. Tillotson to the opening ceremony.
Lulu was ready first. Her white frock suited her far better than the gay coloured garments she usually affected; and she would have been very suitably attired for the occasion if she had not seen fit to add her favourite long gold chain, and her jingling bangles. After a last glance in the looking-glass she joined her friend, whom she found putting the finishing touches to her toilet.