ET DONA FERENTES
1009
" Oh! you're here before us" he exclaimed "So you got my mes–
sage. As the storm cleared, I thought it wasn't necessary to stay the
night."
Sven had come into the room very quietly behind Edwin and now
his voice sounded, speaking very slowly.
"Mr. Newman was so kind, he was so anxious that I should stay
and see Milkford. But I thought you would be alarmed at our absence,
Mrs. Newman. See, however, he has bought me this lovely ring, the
stone has so strange a name-garnet. But he has not forgotten you,
Mrs. Newman" and as Edwin motioned him to be silent, he went on
"But, no, Mr. Newman, you must show your wife the gift or she
will be upset that you gave me so lovely a ring and nothing for her.
Look, it is a beautiful sapphire pendant, is it not a lovely stone? I
cho.3e it for you myself, I have a great taste for jewels."
Monica got to her feet. "It is a pity" she said "that you speak
such ghastly English. You say unfortunate things that a boy of your
age cannot understand" and she walked from the room.
A few moments later Mrs. Rackham returned. "Look" said
Sven "at the lovely pendant the kind Mr. Newman has bought for
Mrs. Newman."
"Oh! but Edwin how sweet of you! It's charming looking" said
his mother-in-law.
"But Mrs. Newman does not at all seem to like it" said Sven .
" Oh! she will to-morrow" said Mrs. Rackham "she's very over–
tired to-night, the storm upset her a lot."
The rainfall ceased after dinner and there was a calming silence
as Monica sat before her dressing table, talking to her mother. Sud–
denly Edwin came into the room. He began to talk quickly as though
he feared interruption.
"I've been talking to the children" he said "and Sven thinks he
ought to return home by the next boat- that is in three days-I
think he's right probably. He's got his exams coming on and I don't
know that it's been quite his sort of holiday or" and he laughed "that
we're exactly his sort of family."
Monica said nothing, but Mrs. R ackham declared approvingly
"I'm sure it's a very wise decision."
"I'm glad you think so" he said "because I was wondering if
you'd mind looking after the three of Jhem until he goes. I've sudden-
