like, Jennifer," he remarked. "Why should you disappoint Mrs. Chichester? We are all meant to make life as pleasant as we can for others."
"If you think that you'll go. Oh—it's too late."
She went forward with her charming, half-shy grace of manner, and, quailing under the suppressed emotion of the three ladies in the door, weakly introduced Slicker as "my cousin. Just come from the North-West, you know."
It was the extremely pretty girl in the middle who disconcerted Slicker for at least five minutes, and Jennifer was human enough to find spiteful delight in the knowledge. But the little feminine flutter and stir and half-finished sentences before seats and tea were provided gave him his balanc again. Six weeks ago Slicker had left Grey Wolf and come to Toronto to settle his business affairs with his uncle before joining the Police. His uncle had been displeased and had not troubled to conceal the fact. On the whole, Slicker considered that he rather obtruded it. Jennifer and her mother had been in New York, and to-day was Slicker's first chance for full appreciation and confidence. The advent of these three threatened to spoil it, and Slicker was bent on revenging himself accordingly.
Jennifer began to tremble when she saw that he attached himself unhesitatingly to Mrs. Chichester; bringing cake and tea, closing a window against the draught, and finally settling into the next chair with all the appearance of one who intends to be a fixture. Mrs. Chichester pinned him instantly under her lorgnette, and through Jennifer's conversation with the others she heard scraps of conversation which did not ease her mind.
"Why, no," said Slicker, in evident answer to some question. "I suppose I might rather call myself a missionary."
"Oh!" Mrs. Chichester's voice was dubious. "I thought missionaries were—would not—but I infer you must follow the customs of the country?"
"Oh, I hope not." The scandalised piety in Slicker's tone would have done credit to Mrs. Chichester herself. "Please don't mention the customs of the country, Mrs. Chichester."
"Why—you don't mean"
