world, father is that man. I hate politics. It
seems to me it is the meanest thing there is. I don't know anything else
so mean as to take a man like father and question his motives and call
him all sorts of names and try to blacken his character. Mother says she
doesn't mind, but I believe she can't help feeling it some. It just
makes me mad.

"Well, bub, don't be discouraged. We believe in you just as much as
ever. We are looking for you home next week.

"Oh, by the way, does your friend Bauer have to have his beer regularly?
And must we lay in an extra supply of sauer kraut and pretzels? I am
sitting up nights studying my German exercises so I can say 'Eine
Schwalbe macht noch Keinen Sommer' and other interesting topics of
conversation. Lovingly your sister.

"HELEN DILLINGHAM DOUGLAS."

Walter laughed over this letter, but rather resented the tone Helen
displayed about Bauer. "I hope Bauer won't make any bad breaks and I
don't believe he will." But Walter had a little talk with Bauer that
same evening in which Bauer expressed a little nervousness about his
approaching visit at Walter's home.

"I haven't ever been anywhere to speak of, you know," he said a little
doubtfully. "And I begin to feel a little afraid of meeting your folks."

"Afraid? Why, you can't even look at mother without falling in love with
her. And as for father he will take to you right off. I know he will,
for several reasons."

"But your sister?" Bauer looked up at the photograph of Helen on
Walter's dresser. "Somehow I feel a little afraid of her. I don't
believe I'll get along very well. Does she talk German? I feel a little
more at my ease if I can talk what you call small talk in my own
language."

"No, I don't believe Helen knows enough German to talk it intelligently.
But you needn't be afraid of her. She is interested in your coming as
all the family are and she has asked me several questions about you,"
said Walter, not venturing to tell Bauer what the questions were.

"Is that so?" said Bauer, looking pleased. Then after a moment he added,
"It's awfully good of you to ask me to your home. I won't forget it."

And indeed, Felix Bauer, you never will.

The two friends reached Milton three days before Christmas and were met
at the station by Paul and Louis. Paul took to Bauer from the moment he
first saw him. You know how that is, that indescribable attraction you
feel towards certain people eve