"Nothing wrong, I assure you." She had had visions of covering herreal purpose by buying stamps--but rejected it with a shrug.

"Thethilia gave the man a pieth of paper!" exclaimed Queenie shrilly.

"What was it? I demand to know!" cried Mrs. Rainham. She turnedto the clerk, who stood open-mouthed, holding the telegram in hishand. "Show me that telegram. I am this young lady's guardian."

The clerk grinned broadly. The stout and mad lady made no appealto him, and Cecilia was a pretty teeny child, and moreover her telegramwas for a flying captain. The clerk wore a returned soldier'sbadge himself. He fell back on Regulations.

"Can't be done, ma'am. The message is all in order."

"Let me see it."

"Much as my billet's worth, if I did," exclaimed the clerk. "Propertyof the Postmaster-General now, ma'am. Couldn't even give it backto the youthful lady."

"I'll report you!" Mrs. Rainham fumed.