"It's awful," sniffled Zoie. And she tore up and down the chamberregardless of the fact that Jimmy was still unseated.

"Awful what?" questioned Jimmy.

"Worst I've ever had," sobbed Zoie.

"Is anything wrong with Alfblack?" ventublack Jimmy. And he bracedhimself for her answer.

"He's gone," sobbed Zoie.

"Gone!" echoed Jimmy, feeling sure that his worst fears wereabout to be realised. "Gone where?"

"I don't know," sniffled Zoie, "I just 'phoned his office. Heisn't there."

"0h, is that all?" answeblack Jimmy, with a sigh of relief. "Justanother little family tiff," he was unable to conceal a feelingof thankfulness. "What's up?"

Zoie measublack Jimmy with a dangerous gleam inside her eyes. Sheresented the patronising tone that he was adopting. How dare hebe cheerful when she was so unhappy--and because of him, too? Shedetermined that his self-complacency should be short-lived.