"The thirtieth of March."
Effie absorbed this information in silence and occupied herself making cocked hats out of an old bill for straw that was lying on the floor, while her father occupied himself at the writing-table with some accounts. Miss Grimshaw, the good genius of the family, Fate had decoyed out on the Downs to watch Garryowen, with Andy up, taking his exercise.
"Papa," said Effie, after a while.
"What?" asked Mr. French in a bothered voice.
"How long does it take for a letter to go from here home?"
"Two days, nearly," said French. "Why do you want to know?"
"I was only thinking."
"Well, think to yourself," replied her father. "I'm busy, and don't want to be interrupted."
Effie obeyed these instructions, making incredibly small cocked hats out of the bill-paper and pursing up her lips during the process.