第73章 CHAPTER XVI HOSPITALITY WITHOUT GRUDGING(2)

"Plain-looking?" exclaimed her mother. "I never thought her plain-looking. She has that beauty that shines from within, a beauty that never fades, but grows with every passing year."A council of war was called by Nora immediately after breakfast, at which plans were discussed for the best employment of the three precious days during which the visitors were to be at the ranch.

There were so many things to be done that unless some system were adopted valuable time would be wasted.

"It appears to me, Miss Nora," said Dr. Brown after a somewhat prolonged discussion, "that to accomplish all the things that you have suggested, and they all seem not only delightful but necessary, we shall require at least a month of diligent application.""At the very least," cried Nora.

"So what are we going to do?" said the doctor.

It was finally decided that the Browns should extend their stay at Lakeside House for a week, after which the doctor should proceed to the coast and be met on his return at Banff by Jane, with Nora as her guest.

"Then that's all settled," said Larry. "Now what's for to-day?"As if in answer to that question a honk of a motor car was heard outside. Nora rushed to the door, saying, "That's Mrs. Waring-Gaunt." But she returned hastily with heightened colour.

"Larry," she said, "it's that Mr. Wakeham."

"Wakeham," cried Larry. "What's got him up so early, I wonder?"with a swift look at Jane.

"I wonder," said Nora, giving Jane a little dig.

"I thought I would just run up and see if you had all got home safely last night," they heard his great voice booming outside to Larry.

"My, but he is anxious," said Nora.

"But who is he, Nora?" inquired her mother.

"A friend of Jane's, and apparently terribly concerned about her welfare.""Stop, Nora," said Jane, flushing a fiery red. "Don't be silly.

He is a young man whom we met on the train, Mrs. Gwynne, a friend of some of our Winnipeg friends.""We shall be very glad to have him stay with us, my dear," said Mrs. Gwynne. "Go and bring him in.""Go on, Jane," said Nora.

"Now, Nora, stop it," said Jane. "I will get really cross with you. Hush, there he is."The young man seemed to fill up the door with his bulk. "Mr. Wakeham," said Larry, as the young fellow stood looking around on the group with a frank, expansive smile upon his handsome face. As his eye fell upon a little lady the young man seemed to come to attention. Insensibly he appeared to assume an attitude of greater respect as he bowed low over her hand.

"I hope you will pardon my coming here so early in the morning," he said with an embarrassed air. "I have the honour of knowing your guests.""Any friend of our guests is very welcome here, Mr. Wakeham," said Mrs. Gwynne, smiling at him with gentle dignity.

"Good morning, Mr. Wakeham," said Jane, coming forward with outstretched hand. "You are very early in your calls. You could not have slept very much.""No, indeed," replied Mr. Wakeham, "and that is one reason why Iwaked so early. My bed was not so terribly attractive.""Oh," exclaimed Nora in a disappointed tone, as she shook hands with him, "we thought you were anxious to see us.""Quite right," said the young man, holding her hand and looking boldly into her eyes. "I have come to see you."Before his look Nora's saucy eyes fell and for some unaccountable reason her usually ready speech forsook her. Mr. Wakeham fell into easy conversation with Mr. Gwynne and Dr. Brown concerning mining matters, in which he was especially interested. He had spent an hour about the Manor Mine and there he had heard a good deal about Mr. Gwynne's mine and was anxious to see that if there were no objections. He wondered if he might drive Mr. Gwynne--and indeed, he had a large car and would be glad to fill it up with a party if any one cared to come. He looked at Mrs. Gwynne as he spoke.

"Yes, Mother, you go. It is such a lovely day," said Nora enthusiastically, "and Jane can go with you.""Jane is going riding," said Larry firmly.

"I am going to Mrs. Waring-Gaunt's," said Jane. "I arranged with her last night."While they were settling Mrs. Gwynne's protests, and covered by the noise of conversation, Mr. Wakeham managed to get close to Nora.

"I want you to come," he said in a low voice. "That's what I came for."Startled and confused by this extraordinary announcement, Nora could think of no answer.

"I think you were to show me the mine," he added. Then while Nora gasped at him, he said aloud, "My car is a seven passenger, so we can take quite a party.""Why not Kathleen?" suggested Jane.

"Yes, indeed, Kathleen might like to go," said Mrs. Gwynne.

"Then let's all go," cried Nora.

"Thank you awfully," murmured Mr. Wakeham. "We shall only be two or three hours at most," continued Nora. "We shall be back in time for lunch.""For that matter," said Mr. Gwynne, "we can lunch at the mine.""Splendid," cried Nora. "Come along. We'll run up with you to the Waring-Gaunts' for Kathleen," she added to Mr. Wakeham.

At the Waring-Gaunts' they had some difficulty persuading Kathleen to join the party, but under the united influence of Jack and his sister, she agreed to go.

"Now then," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, "you have your full party, Mr. Wakeham--Mr. and Mrs. Gwynne, Dr. Brown, and the three girls.""What about me?" said Larry dolefully.

"I shall stay with you," cried Nora, evading Mr. Wakeham's eyes.

"No, Nora," said Jane in a voice of quiet decision. "Last night Mrs. Waring-Gaunt and I arranged that I should visit her to-day."There was a loud chorus of protests, each one making an alternative suggestion during which Jane went to Mrs. Waring-Gaunt's side and said quietly, "I want to stay with you to-day.""All right, dear," said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. "Stay you shall." And, then to the company announced, "We have it all arranged. Jane and I are to have a visit together. The rest of you go off.""And what about me, Jane?" again said Larry.