y that we are prettie sure
tha'z accept' by the publisher'; an' of co'ze if tha'z accept'--and if
those publisher' they don' swin'le us, like so oftten--we don't need to
be orphan' never any mo', and we'll maybe move up-town and juz' keep
that proprity here for a souvenir of our in-fancy. But that be
two-three days yet biffo' we can be sure ab-oud that. Maybe ad the
laz' we'll 'ave to join the asylum, but tha'z our hope, to move up town
into the _quartier nouveau_ and that beautiful 'garden diztric'.' But
we'll always _con_-tinue to love the old 'ouse here. 'Tis a very
genuine ancient _relique_, that 'ouse. You see those wall'? Solid
plank of two inch' and from Kentucky!" They went through the whole
story--the house, the relics of their childhood--"Go you, Yvonne, fedge
them!"

The meek _religieuses_ did their best to be both interested and
sincere, but somehow found diplomacy to escape the "li'l' lake" and its
goldfish, and even took the piety of the cat with a dampening absence
of mind. Their departure was almost hurried. There was nothing to do
on either side, the four agreed, but to wait the turn of events.

The two gray robes and white bonnets had but just got away when the
bell rang again and Mlle. Yvonne let in Mme. De l'Isle and Mrs. Chester.

But these calls were in mid-afternoon. The evening previous--"Show Mr.
Chester to three-thirty-three," the hotel clerk had said, and presently
Mrs. Chester was all but perishing in the arms of her son.

"Geoffry! Geoffry! you needn't be ferocious!"

They took seats facing each other, low seats that touched; but when
they joined hands a second time he dropped to his knees, asking many
questions already answered in her regular and frequent letters. News
is so different by word of mouth when the mouth's the sweetest,
sacredest ever kissed. "And how's father?"

As if he didn't know to the last detail!

All at once--"Why didn't you say you were coming?" he savagely demanded.

"No matter," his mother replied, "I'm glad I didn't, things have
happened so pleasantly. I've seen your whole Royal Street coterie,
except, of course----"

"Yes, of course."

The mother told her evening's experience.

"And you like my friends?"

"Why, Geoffry, you're right to love them. But, now, how came you back
so soon from St. What's-his-name?"

"Opposing counsel compromised the case without trial. Mother, it's the
greatest professional victory I've ever won."

"Oh, ho