brushed; his faded blue eyes were gentle. He was the
kind of an old man to whom one instinctively showed deference. Moreover,
he was the Roman Emperor.

The hats of Jack, Carver, and Donald came off as they greeted him.

"These are our friends, Mr. Livy," Donald explained. "You remember I told
you some time ago that they were coming. And you know Virginia Hunter?"

Mr. Livy did know Virginia. He and Nero and Trajan came forward all
together to greet her.

"It's good to see your face again, Miss Virginia," said the Emperor. "Your
father was here day before yesterday. He mentioned water-cress. Was that
your errand?"

"That, and to see you, Mr. Livy," answered Virginia. "My friends wished to
come. I hope you're not too busy to show them around a little."

The Emperor was not too busy. He said this with a bow, which was many
times repeated as he was presented to the others.

"I regard you as friends," he said with dignity, "otherwise I should
hesitate to show you the palace. There is a sad lack of funds of late--a
sad lack! All the Senate's appropriations are being expended on the new
aqueduct, and on new roads through the provinces. The roads hold our
great possessions together, and the Emperor's home can wait. But next year
all will be different. Then I shall again plead my case, and money will be
forthcoming. This way, please, young ladies and gentlemen. We will first
view the grounds."

His guests in respectful silence followed him down a path toward the creek
over which he had placed a little foot-bridge. A fish jumped as they
stepped upon the logs, and swam away to the safe shelter of the
water-cress.

"The stream is well-stocked with the best of trout," explained their host.
"It is my pastime to catch them in other streams and to bring them here.
You remember Horace upon his Sabine farm? Such pleasures as he enjoyed are
mine. Yes, there is an abundance of cress. We will wait until later to
gather it that it may be fresh and crisp."

They followed the stream in its meandering course through the fields.
Their guide pointed out to them this and that beauty--the fringed gentians
in a thicket near the water's edge; a late wild rose which saw its pink
reflection in the still, amber water. It was as though he, aided by the
Senate's money, had laid out the grounds himself, such was his pride in
them. Another foot-bridge brought them back to the other side, and to the
field-path which led to the house.

The Emper