ing in rotund complacency at the foot of the table, her
gray hair combed straight back from her round, shiny forehead. She had
on a dark-gray silk dress, trimmed with gray-and-white striped ribbon.
It suited her florid temperament admirably. Aileen had dictated her
mother's choice, and had seen that it had been properly made. Norah was
refreshingly youthful in a pale-green dress, with red-velvet cuffs and
collar. She looked young, slender, gay. Her eyes, complexion and hair
were fresh and healthy. She was trifling with a string of coral beads
which her mother had just given her.

"Oh, look, Callum," she said to her brother opposite her, who was
drumming idly on the table with his knife and fork. "Aren't they lovely?
Mama gave them to me."

"Mama does more for you than I would. You know what you'd get from me,
don't you?"

"What?"

He looked at her teasingly. For answer Norah made a face at him. Just
then Owen came in and took his place at the table. Mrs. Butler saw
Norah's grimace.

"Well, that'll win no love from your brother, ye can depend on that,"
she commented.

"Lord, what a day!" observed Owen, wearily, unfolding his napkin. "I've
had my fill of work for once."

"What's the trouble?" queried his mother, feelingly.

"No real trouble, mother," he replied. "Just everything--ducks and
drakes, that's all."

"Well, ye must ate a good, hearty meal now, and that'll refresh ye,"
observed his mother, genially and feelingly. "Thompson"--she was
referring to the family grocer--"brought us the last of his beans. You
must have some of those."

"Sure, beans'll fix it, whatever it is, Owen," joked Callum. "Mother's
got the answer."

"They're fine, I'd have ye know," replied Mrs. Butler, quite unconscious
of the joke.

"No doubt of it, mother," replied Callum. "Real brain-food. Let's feed
some to Norah."

"You'd better eat some yourself, smarty. My, but you're gay! I suppose
you're going out to see somebody. That's why."

"Right you are, Norah. Smart girl, you. Five or six. Ten to fifteen
minutes each. I'd call on you if you were nicer."

"You would if you got the chance," mocked Norah. "I'd have you know I
wouldn't let you. I'd feel very bad if I couldn't get somebody better
than you."

"As good as, you mean," corrected Callum.

"Children, children!" interpolated Mrs. Butler, calmly, looking about
for old John, the servant. "You'll be losin' your tempers in a minute.
Hush now. Here comes your father. Whe