Such poor manners,--coming down to a company lunch in another man's
bath-robe and then trying to preach and eat dry toast at once."

Burnett gasped and recovered.

"There," said Clover, who had risen to administer the proposed slap, "he's
off our minds and we may again pick up Aunt Mary and put her back on."

"We want to send her home in a blaze of glory," said Jack thoughtfully. "I
want her to feel that the fun ran straight through."

"That's just what I mean," interposed his particular friend; "we want her
to go home on the wings of a giant cracker, so to speak."

"How would it do," said Clover suddenly, "to just make a night of it and
take her along? Stock up, stack up, and ho! for it. You all know the kind
of a time I mean."

"Clover," said Jack gravely, "does it occur to you that Aunt Mary belongs
to me and that I have a personal interest in keeping her alive?"

"Nothing ever occurs to him," said Mitchell. "Occasionally an idea bangs
up against him inadvertently, and as it splinters a sliver or two
penetrate his head--that's all."

"I don't see why the last sliver he felt wasn't to the point," said
Burnett, turning the cream jug upside down as he spoke. "I think she'd
enjoy it of all things. She enjoys everything so. I'll guarantee that when
she gets back home she'll even enjoy the yachting trip. Lots of people are
made like that. In the winter I always enjoy yachting, myself. Pass me the
hot bread."

"Burnett," said Mitchell warmly, "I wish that you would remember that a
collapse invariably follows an inflated market."

"Is it Aunt Mary who is on the market, or myself?"

"You."

"Oh, the rule is reversed in my case--the collapse went first. I'm only
inflating up to the usual limit again. Is there any gravy left?"

"No, there isn't," said Clover, looking in the dish, "there isn't much of
anything left."

"Let's go to the library," said Mitchell, rising abruptly. "It always
makes me ill to see goose-stuffing before Thanksgiving. Come on."

"I'm done," said Burnett, springing up and winding his lacey draperies
about his manly form. "Come on yourself; and once settled and smoking, let
us canvass the question and agree with Clover."

"You know there are nights about town and nights about town," said Clover,
as they climbed the staircase. "I do not anticipate that Aunt Mary will
bring up with a round turn in the police station, as her young relative
once did."

"Well, that's some comfort," said Mitch