ly verified
down to the smallest detail. When at last he was released, and he rushed
home in his car to dress, he discovered that his spirits were dancing as
he could not remember having felt them dance for a year. And all over a
simple invitation to a family dinner!

As he dressed it might have been said of him that he also could be
particular, even fussy. When, at length, he was ready, he was as
carefully attired as ever he had been in his life--and this not only in
body but in mind. It was curious, to his own observation of himself, how
differently he felt, in what different mood he was, than had ever been
the case when he had left his room for the scene of some accustomed
pleasure-making. He could not just define this difference to himself,
though he was conscious of it; but there was in it a sense of wishing
the people he was to meet to think well of him, according to their own
standards, and he was somehow rather acutely aware that their standards
were not likely to be those with which he was most intimate.

When he entered the now familiar door of the Gray homestead he was
surprised to hear sounds which seemed to indicate that the affair was,
after all, much larger and more formal than he had been led to suppose.
Strains of music fell upon his ears--music from a number of stringed
instruments remarkably well played--and this continued as he made his
entrance into the long drawing-room at the left of the hall, of whose
interior he had as yet caught only tempting glimpses.

As he greeted his hosts, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gray, Judge Calvin Gray,
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Gray, wondering a little where the rest of the
family could be, his eye fell upon the musicians, and the problem was
solved. Ruth, the sixteen-year-old, sat before a harp; Louis, the elder
son, cherished a violin under his chin; Roberta--ah, there she was!
wearing a dull-blue evening frock above which gleamed her white neck,
her half-uncovered arms showing exquisite curves as she handled the bow
which was drawing long, rich notes from the violoncello at her knee.

Not one of the trio looked up until the nocturne they were playing was
done. Then they rose together, laying aside their instruments, and made
the guest welcome. He had a vivid impression of being done peculiar
honour by their recognition of him as a new friend, for so they received
him. As he looked from one to another of their faces he experienced
another of those curious sensations which ha