A Coin of Edward VII

THE CHRISTMAS TREE

Two old ladies sat in the corner of the drawing-room.

The younger — a colonial cousin of the elder — was listening eagerly to gossip which dealt with English society in general, and Rickwell society in particular.

They presumably assisted in the entertainment of the children already gathered tumultuously round the Christmas tree, provided by Mr. Morley; but Mrs. Parry's budget of scandal was too interesting to permit the relaxing of Mrs. McKail's attention.

"Ah yes," said Mrs. Parry, a hatchet-faced dame with a venomous tongue and a retentive memory, "Morley's fond of children, although he has none of his own."

"But those three pretty little girls?" said Mrs. McKail, who was fat, fair, and considerably over forty.

"Triplets," replied the other, sinking her voice. "The only case of triplets I have met with, but not his children.

No, Mrs. Morley was a widow with triplets and money.

Morley married her for the last, and had to take the first as part of the bargain.

I don't deny but what he does his duty by the three."

Mrs. McKail's keen grey eyes wander to the fat, rosy little man who laughingly struggled amidst a bevy of children, the triplets included.

"He seems fond of them," said she, nodding.

"Seems!" emphasised Mrs. Parry shrewdly. "Ha!

I don't trust the man.

If he were all he seems, would his wife's face wear that expression?

No, don't tell me."

Mrs. Morley was a tall, lean, serious woman, dressed in sober grey.

She certainly looked careworn, and appeared to participate in the festivities more as a duty than for the sake of amusement.

"He is said to be a good husband," observed Mrs. McKail doubtfully. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure of nothing where men are concerned. I wouldn't trust one of them.

Morley is attentive enough to his wife, and he adores the triplets — so he says; but I go by his eye.

Orgy is written in that eye.

It can pick out a pretty woman, my dear.

Oh, his wife doesn't look sick with anxiety for nothing!"