There was a great deal of excitement attending the placing of
the children, but it passed unnoticed by Mr. Flanders. He was staring
hungrily, pleadingly at the unfriendly back of the new governess.
Once she gave him a swift, perhaps unintentional look. It was too
brief to be described as significant, but it served to revive his
interest in the proceedings. He sprang forward and offered his aid to
the nurses. If he was clumsy in his attempt to jiggle a chair into
position, an explanation may be instantly provided. Miss Fairweather,
after a brief stare of indecision, favoured him with an almost
imperceptible smile. He happened to be in the act of pushing a high-
chair under the wriggling person of Imogene. That smile caused the
momentary paralysis of his whole being, with the result that the nurse
came near to depositing Imogene on the floor. Every one--except
Imogene--squealed. Mr. Flanders was reminded of his own existence. The
arrested chair shot into position and Imogene came down rather soundly
on the seat of it, and then every one giggled--except Imogene.
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