"I was—I was—er—was going to—to get it all ready to—to take up to myself to-morrow."

Jack took the tray from Matilda's nerveless hands.


"WHAT'S THAT YOU'RE CARRYING?"


"Sit down, Matilda," firmly pressing her into a chair. "Mary, have you some salts in that bag."

"Yes, Jack." In an instant Mary had a bottle from her bag and was holding it beneath Matilda's nose. "You'll be all right in just a moment. Take it easy. The surprise must have been too much for you. For it was a big surprise, wasn't it?"