hat sort of thing. Quite respectable and praiseworthy."

"I see," said Willa slowly. "It's only proper when you do it for
nothing, just because you like it. If it's work, it isn't nice."

Her interlocutor writhed, but cannily forbore argument. He had learned
more valuable pointers in the past few days on the matter of rebuttal
than Blackstone ever revealed to him.

"And the boy, Vernon. What does he do?" Willa resumed.

"He motors and plays golf and tennis." Mr. North cast wildly about in
his mind for an inspiration. What did the young beggar do, anyway,
that would meet with the approval of this socialistic Amazon? "Cards,
too. He's an inveterate--I mean, enthusiastic, card-player."

Willa rewarded his efforts with a wriggle of interest.

"Monte, stud or blackjack?" she demanded. "What's his limit? Good
loser?"

"Very!" The family lawyer was on solid ground here. "In fact I may
say the best and most consistent loser I have knowledge of. It has not
been decided yet what--ah, field of industry he will enter. He is just
out of the university."

"There's a Mr. Halstead, I suppose?"

"Yes, of course. He is the first vice-president of the Vitality and
Casualty Insurance Company, and director in several banks and
corporations. A very busy man and an important, influential one."

"What does he do that he likes?" Willa persisted, unimpressed.

"Bless me, I haven't an idea! I've known him for a quarter of a
century, but I've never heard him discuss anything except finance."

"And Mrs. Halstead?"

"Ah, my dear, there is a character for you!" Mr. North beamed. "She's
chairman of a dozen charity organizations, leader in every new movement
that appears, and manages to find ample time for her social duties,
besides. A wonderful woman! You are fortunate in having her for your
sponsor and mentor, and I--ah, I trust that you will follow her
directions in all things. You must show your appreciation of her
kindness in taking you into her home and making you one of themselves
by obeying her without question. Her experience and knowledge of the
world will be invaluable to you."

The swift roar of the train into the tunnel precluded comment from his
charge, and in the vast station she vanished once more. This time she
remained absent for so long that the distracted attorney was on the
point of despatching a battalion of porters to search for her when she
reappeared, slightly flushed but serene.

"In