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beer. Fortunately I shall be in my grave before it arrives.’

‘Don’t be too sure of that!’ said Hester, flashing a fiery glance upon him.

When Monica was alone with her daughter-in-law in the drawing-room, she prepared herself for trenchant comment on the reactionary guest, but, saying not a word of Captain Ingpen, Hester extended herself on the sofa, remarking, as she stretched out a nonchalant hand for a cigarette:

‘Monica, I’d rather you told Robin no more fairy-tales when he is with you. He came home the other day very much over-excited, with his head full of captive princesses and dragons. He’s a nervous child; I’m anxious about him already; and it doesn’t make my task the easier.’

Monica had been but too well aware during the meal from which they had just come that her dinner was far from a success, but not till she heard this request did she know how much ill-temper had seethed beneath Hester’s composure. So unexpected, so unprovoked were her words, that she felt herself struck suddenly upon the cheek and tears almost rose to her eyes with the sense of tingling aggression.

‘My dear Hester, what nonsense!’ she exclaimed.

‘I was quite aware that you would think it so,’