a
parasol, and we'll have a lovely, comfy time!"

"But we're just home!" Julia protested laughingly. "I've hardly got
straightened out yet! However, I'll speak to Jim," she went on. "This
gentleman thinks he would like it, and Anna is frantic to see the boys."

"And we must talk!" Barbara added coaxingly. "Is California lovely?"

"Oh--" Julia raised her brows, with her grave smile. "Home is home,
Bab."

"And Mother looks well?"

"Your mother looks _very_ well. But when she and Janey come on in January
you'll see for yourself. Janey's so pretty; I wish she'd marry, but she
never sees any one but Rich! Rich is simply adorable; he had Con and her
husband and little girl with him this summer. Con's getting very
fat--she's great fun! And Ted's very much improved, Bab, very much more
gentle and sweet. She told me about Bob Carleton's death, poor fellow!
She went to see him and took George, and do you know, I don't think Ted
will marry again, although she's handsomer than ever!"

"And Sally's the perfect celebrity's wife?" Barbara asked, with a smile.

"Sally? But I wrote you that," Julia laughed. "Yes, Keith was giving a
concert in Philadelphia when we went through at Easter. So Jim and I
made a special trip down to hear it, and, my dear! The hall was packed,
the women went simply crazy over him, and he's really quite poetical
looking, long hair and all that. And Sally---I saw her at the hotel the
next morning, and such a manner! Protecting the privacy of the genius,
don't you know, and seeing reporters, and answering requests for
autographs, and declining invitations, here, there, and everywhere! I
think she has more fun than Keith does! He's quite helpless without her;
won't see a manager or answer a note, or even order a luncheon! 'Sally,'
he says, handing her a card, 'what do I like? Tell them not to ask me!'
He worships her, and, of course, she worships him; she even said to me
that it was lucky there were no children--Keith hated children!"

"Funny life!" Barbara mused, half laughing. "And your people are well,
Ju?" "Splendidly," Julia smiled. "Mama looks just the same; she was
simply wild about our Georgie--saw him nearly every day, for if I
couldn't go I sent nurse with him. My cousin Marguerite is dead, you
know, and her husband is really a very clever fellow, a tailor, making
lots of money. He and the three children have come to live with Aunt
May; Regina manages the whole crowd; it's really the happiest so