she paused, and
spoke over her shoulder. "Don't try me too far, father."

McIntyre stared for a full minute at the doorway through which Helen
took her departure.

"Well, what the--" He pulled himself up short in the middle of the
ejaculation and turned to Barbara. "Go and get dressed," he directed.
"We must leave here in twenty minutes."

"I am not going," she announced.

"Not going!" McIntyre frowned, then laughed abruptly. "Now, don't tell
me you were engaged to Jimmie Turnbull, also."

"I think you are horrid!" Barbara's small foot came down with a vigorous
stamp.

"Well, perhaps I am," her father admitted rather wearily. "Don't keep us
waiting, Babs; the car will be here in less than twenty minutes."

"But, father, I prefer to stay at home."

"And I prefer to have you accompany us," retorted McIntyre. "Come,
Barbara, we cannot be discourteous to Mrs. Brewster; she is our guest,
and this supper is for her entertainment."

"Well, take her." Barbara was openly rebellious.

"Barbara!" His tone caused her to look at him in wonder; instead of the
stern rebuke she expected, his voice was almost wheedling. "I cannot
very well take Mrs. Brewster to a cafe at this hour without causing
gossip."

"Oh, fiddle-sticks!" exclaimed Barbara. "I don't have to play chaperon
for you two. Every one knows she is visiting us; what's there improper
in your taking her out to supper? Why"--regarding him critically--"she's
young enough to be your daughter!"

"Go to your room!" There was nothing wheedling about McIntyre at that
instant; he was thoroughly incensed.

As Barbara sped out happy in having gained her way, she announced, as
a parting shot, "If you can be nasty to Helen; father, I can be nasty,
too."

Colonel McIntyre brought his fist down on a smoking table with such
force that he scattered its contents over the floor. When he rose from
picking up the debris, he found Mrs. Brewster at his elbow.

"Can I help?" she asked.

"No, thanks, everything is back in place." He pulled forward a chair for
her. "If agreeable to you I will telephone Ben Clymer that we will stop
for him and take him with us to the Caf St. Marks; or would you prefer
some other man?"

"Oh, no." She threw her evening wrap across the sofa and sat down. "Are
the girls ready?"

"They--they are indisposed, and won't be able to go to-night."

"What! Both girls?"

"Yes, both"--firmly, not, however, meeting her eyes.

"Hadn't I better stay with t