Chapter 7

           August22.—HomesweetHomeagain!Carrieboughtsomeprettyblue-woolmatstostandvaseson.Fripps,JanusandCo.writetosaytheyaresorrytheyhavenovacancyamongtheirstaffofclerksforLupin.

           August23.—Iboughtapairofstags’headsmadeofplaster-of-Parisandcolouredbrown.Theywilllookjustthethingforourlittlehall,andgiveitstyle;theheadsareexcellentimitations.PoolersandSmitharesorrytheyhavenothingtoofferLupin.

           August24.—SimplytopleaseLupin,andmakethingscheerfulforhim,asheisalittledown,CarrieinvitedMrs.JamestocomeupfromSuttonandspendtwoorthreedayswithus.WehavenotsaidawordtoLupin,butmeantokeepitasasurprise.

           August25.—Mrs.James,ofSutton,arrivedintheafternoon,bringingwithheranenormousbunchofwildflowers.ThemoreIseeofMrs.JamesthenicerIthinksheis,andsheisdevotedtoCarrie.ShewentintoCarrie’sroomtotakeoffherbonnet,andremainedtherenearlyanhourtalkingaboutdress.LupinsaidhewasnotabitsurprisedatMrs.James’visit,butwassurprisedather.

           August26,Sunday.—Nearlylateforchurch,Mrs.Jameshavingtalkedconsiderablyaboutwhattowearallthemorning.LupindoesnotseemtogetonverywellwithMrs.James.Iamafraidweshallhavesometroublewithournext-doorneighbourswhocameinlastWednesday.Severaloftheirfriends,whodriveupindog-carts,havealreadymadethemselvesobjectionable.