ke me. Must I keep
my mouth shut, throw away my cigars, bounce all my friends, and sit up
with my arms folded?"

"Oh, no, dear. Be good to her, and be patient; it will all come around
right in time."

That was Bessie's way of lightening present troubles,--"It will all come
around right in time." Blessed hope! "Man never is, but always to be
blest."

My duties now kept me at the bank nearly all day, and for a few weeks
affairs went on at home very smoothly. At table Mrs. Pinkerton
maintained a sphinx-like silence, and I directed my conversation to
Bessie. When the old lady opened her mouth, it was to snub me. The snub
direct, the snub indirect, the snub implied, and the snub
far-fetched,--I submitted to all with a cheerful spirit, and not a hasty
retort escaped me.

At Bessie's request, I now smoked only in the library, or in our own
room. I bought a highly ornamental Japanese affair, of curious
workmanship, as a receptacle for cigar-ashes. Altogether, I behaved like
a good boy.

One evening Marston dropped in. When his card was brought up stairs, I
handed it over to Bessie, and hurried to the library.

"How are you, old man?" he said, or, rather, shouted. "How do you like
it, as far as you've got?"

"Tip-top. I'm glad to see you. When did you get back?"

"Last Saturday, and mighty glad to get back to a live place, too.
Smoke?"

"Thank you. Bessie will be down in a minute."

"How's old Pink?"

"S-s-h! She's all right. Don't speak so confoundedly loud."

"Ha, ha! I see how it is. By and by you won't dare say your soul's your
own. I pity you, Charlie, upon my word I do. Ned Tupney was married a
few days ago, did you know it? and he's got a devil of a mother-in-law
on his hands, a regular roarer--"

"Here comes my wife," I broke in. "For Heaven's sake, change the
subject. Talk about roses!"

Bessie entered and exchanged a friendly greeting with Fred.

"I was telling Charlie about some wonderful roses I saw at Primton's
green-house," said the unabashed visitor, and he forthwith laid aside
his cigar--on the tablecloth!--and launched into a glowing description
of the imaginary flowers.

Before he had finished, Mrs. Pinkerton entered much to my surprise. She
bowed in a stately manner, inquired formally as to the state of Fred's
health, and as she took a seat I saw her glance take in that cigar.

Fred could talk exceedingly well when he was so disposed, and he
entertained us excellently, I thought. He had