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process with Pauline.
    The ladies returned to Penrose House near dusk in excellent spirits. They were met at the door by a solemn deputation.
    The three youngest children stood in a row. They were neatly dressed, and Charlie blew a small tin horn to get the attention of the adults. Their governess watched from a window embrasure, fondly smiling at her charges.
    “Harrumph!” said Harry, who began to read from a scroll.
    “Whereas: Cousin Kay Tyndale is visiting Penrose; and secondly, said cousin hales from the faraway and interesting country of India; and thirdly, cousin Kay took dinner with our parents and sisters; and fourthly, said cousin Kay took luncheon with the same parents and sisters—”
    Here, Harry’s voice took on a somewhat indignant note. He continued. “And fifthly: said cousin then went to Sevenoaks—”
    Here he was interrupted by little Margaret, who rushed forward impatiently and flung her arms around Kay’s legs. “Won’t you have supper with us?” Harry glared at his younger sister. “Mags, get back here. You broke ranks.”
    “Please? Please? We so want to hear about India!” Charlie tugged at Kate’s skirt.
    “Now, children!” Anna visibly stifled a laugh.

    “It’s all right,” said Kate, smiling. “I will tell you stories while you are eating your supper, if you will then go properly to bed.” She patted Mags on the head. “Now go with Mrs. Stowe, and I’ll be up directly.”
    The children retreated up the stairs as Anna laughed into her handkerchief. Louisa said, “Harry takes being Father’s heir very seriously.”
    “I think he’s an insufferable little prig.” Pauline sniffed.
    “You’re too harsh,” said her mother. “Harry does very well.”
    “They’re lovely children, and you must be very proud,” said Kate. In her experience, nothing flattered an assiduous mother more than hearing her children praised.

    * * *

    And so the days passed. Kate fell into the same pattern of life she’d led as a child and had desired to resume at Badham Abbey. She rose early and dressed in apparel suitable for outdoor pursuits, then rode or walked for an hour or two. If the weather did not permit those activities, she read, worked embroidery, or practiced piano. She occasionally borrowed Louisa’s watercolors or charcoals. While Kate was but an indifferent artist, she was loath to lose whatever skills she had acquired at Miss Elizabeth’s School in Bath.
    After luncheon, Kate and Louisa would amuse themselves by dancing while Pauline played the piano. Miss Elizabeth employed a caper merchant to teach her charges, including Kate, the latest steps.
    Louisa had learned from her parents. Kate, the taller of the two, partnered Louisa through country dances and quadrilles with glee. She even led Pauline through the rudiments of the waltz.
    “How odd it would be to be held by a man, so.” Pauline laughed as Kate expertly twirled her around the drawing room floor. The carpets had been kicked aside, and Louisa played a waltz on the upright.
    “Dashed unpleasant, in fact.”
    “Only unpleasant if you didn’t like the cove,” Kate said.
    “Kay and Paul! You know what Mamma will say if she hears you using cant.” Louisa lifted her hands from the keys. “Cousin, from where did you learn such language? Do people speak so in Calicut?”
    “The officers do,” said Kate recklessly. “Bup bup-bup, pa pa-pa,” she hummed in three-four time, continuing to whirl Pauline around. She felt she had fielded the question rather well. The cant and slang she spoke came from her friend, Bryan St. Wills, as well as from the brothers of her schoolmates, who were permitted to visit Miss Elizabeth’s between the hours of three and five on Saturdays. The young people would sit, drink tea, and engage in such social intercourse as was deemed appropriate. Even the close supervision of Miss Elizabeth did not, however, prevent some improprieties. Thus came Katherine’s considerable