lly, talkative,
and very entertaining. He described his camp sojourn in Nevada and,
according to him, life in a mountain sanitarium, under the care of a
doctor and two husky male nurses, was a gorgeous joke. Martha, who, to
tell the truth, had at first secretly shown a little of Primmie's awe,
was soon completely at ease. Even Galusha laughed, though not as often.
It was hard for him to forget the powder barrel sensation. Each time
his cousin opened his mouth to speak, he dreaded to hear reference to a
dangerous subject or to be asked a question which would set fire to the
fuse.

The clock struck seven. Martha glanced at it and suddenly uttered an
exclamation.

"My goodness gracious!" she exclaimed. "I declare, Mr. Bangs, you and
I have forgotten all about that blessed seance. And half past seven was
the time for it to begin. Good gracious me!"

Galusha started. "Dear me, dear me!" he cried. "So it was. I had
completely forgotten it, really I had."

He put his hand to his forehead.

"I shall have to go to it," declared Martha. "Lulie begged me to come
and the cap'n won't like it if I stay away. But I don't see that you
need to, Mr. Bangs. You and your cousin can stay right here and talk
and be comfortable. He is goin' to stay overnight. Oh, yes, you are, Mr.
Cabot. I wouldn't let a stray cat go to Elmer Roger's hotel if I could
help it, to say nothin' of Mr. Bangs' cousin. The spare room's all ready
and Primmie is up there now, airin' it. She took your bag up with her; I
had your chauffeur bring it in from the car."

Her guest stared at her for a moment, laughed and shook his head.

"Well, really, Miss Phipps," he said, "I don't know what to say to you.
You rather take me off my feet. It is very kind of you and, of course, I
am very much obliged; but, of course, too, I couldn't think of staying."

"Now, please, Mr. Cabot! It isn't the least little bit of trouble, and
that's honest. Mr. Bangs, you tell him to stay."

Galusha, thus appealed to, tried to say something, but succeeded only in
looking distressed.

"We WANT him to stay, don't we, Mr. Bangs?" urged Martha.

"Why--why, certainly. Oh, yes, indeed. Ah--yes," faltered Galusha. If
there was one thing which he distinctly did not want, it was just that.
And there was no doubt that Cabot was wavering.

"But, you see, Miss Phipps," said Cousin Gussie, "it will be quite
impossible. My chauffeur--"

"Yes, I know. I'm awfully sorry I haven't got a room for