esisgoingawaytoAustralia,andIhavesomuchtothinkof,Imustsaythatyoushouldhaveshownmoresideration.However,asIsaidbefore,ifheisrich..."

    "Ah!Mother,Mother,letmebehappy!"

    Mrs.Vaneglaher,andwithohosefalsetheatricalgesturesthatsooftenbeodeofseaturetoastage-player,claspedherinherarms.Atthismoment,thedooropenedandayoungladwithroughbrownhaircameintotheroom.Hewasthick-setoffigure,andhishandsawerelargeandsomewhatclumsyi.Hewasnotsofinelybredashissister.Onewouldhardlyhaveguessedthecloserelationshipthatexistedbetweenthem.Mrs.Vanefixedhereyesonhimandintensifiedhersmile.Shementallyelevatedhersontothedignityofanaudience.Shefeltsurethatthetableauwasiing.

    "Youmightkeepsomeofyourkissesforme,Sibyl,Ithink,"saidtheladwithagood-naturedgrumble.

    "Ah!butyoudontlikebeingkissed,Jim,"shecried."Youareadreadfuloldbear."Andsheranacrosstheroomandhuggedhim.

    JamesVanelookedintohissistersfacewithtenderness."Iwantyoutoeoutwithmeforawalk,Sibyl.IdontsupposeIshalleverseethishorridLondonagain.IamsureIdontwantto."

    "Myson,dontsaysuchdreadfulthings,"murmuredMrs.Vaakingupatawdrytheatricaldress,withasigh,andbeginningtopatchit.Shefeltalittledisappoihathehadnotjoihegroup.Itwouldhaveincreasedthetheatricalpicturesquenessofthesituation.

    "Whynot,Mother?Imeanit."

    "Youpainme,myson.ItrustyouwillreturnfromAustraliainapositionofaffluence.Ibelievethereisnosocietyofanykindintheies--nothingthatIwouldcalls