Genesis's place to enlighten her. "'Tic'larly," he reflected, "since
she talk so free about gittin' people 'rested!" He became aware that
William had squirmed through the hedge and now lay prostrate on the
other side of it, but this, likewise, was something within neither his
duty nor his inclination to reveal.

"Thishere laundryman," said Genesis, resuming--"thishere laundryman what
own the dog, I reckon he mus' hopped on 'at street-car what went by."

"Well, he OUGHT to be arrested!" she said, and, pressing her cheek
to Flopit's, she changed her tone. "Izzum's ickle heart a-beatin' so
floppity! Um's own mumsy make ums all right, um's p'eshus Flopit!"

Then with the consoling Miss Parcher's arm about her, and Mr. Watson
even more dazzled with love than when he had first met her, some three
hours past, she made her way between the tubs, and passed on down the
street. Not till the three (and Flopit) were out of sight did William
come forth from the hedge.

"Hi yah!" exclaimed Genesis. "'At lady go'n a 'rest ev'y man what own a
dog, 'f she had her way!"

But William spoke no word.

In silence, then, they resumed their burdens and their journey. Clematis
was waiting for them at the corner ahead.

VII

MR. BAXTER'S EVENING CLOTHES

That evening, at about half-past seven o'clock, dinner being over and
Mr. and Mrs. Baxter (parents of William) seated in the library, Mrs.
Baxter said:

"I think it's about time for you to go and dress for your Emerson Club
meeting, papa, if you intend to go."

"Do I have to dress?" Mr. Baxter asked, plaintively.

"I think nearly all the men do, don't they?" she insisted.

"But I'm getting old enough not to have to, don't you think, mamma?" he
urged, appealingly. "When a man's my age--"

"Nonsense!" she said. "Your figure is exactly like William's. It's the
figure that really shows age first, and yours hasn't begun to." And she
added, briskly, "Go along like a good boy and get it ever!"

Mr. Baxter rose submissively and went upstairs to do as he was bid. But,
after fifteen or twenty minutes, during which his footsteps had
been audible in various parts of the house, he called down over the
banisters:

"I can't find 'em."

"Can't find what?"

"My evening clothes. They aren't anywhere in the house."

"Where did you put them the last time you wore them?" she called.

"I don't know. I haven't had 'em on since last spring."

"All right; I'll come," she said, putting he