to drive his mother nearly crazy by the antics he
cut up. And he was always getting into danger. He would climb the highest
trees, and swim in the deepest pools; he was never satisfied to let any
other boy get ahead of him."

"That accounts for his being such a successful man," said King.

"Yes, perhaps it does, my boy. He was energetic and persistent and
ambitious, and those qualities have stood by him all his life."

"But, Grandpa," said Marjorie, who had suddenly begun to feel more
confidential with her grandfather, "why, then, do you and Grandma want us
children to be so sedate and poky and quiet and good? At home we're
awfully noisy, and here if we make a breath of noise we get reprimanded!"

"Well, you see, Marjorie, Grandma and I are not as young as we were, and
we're so unused now to having children about us, that I dare say we do
expect them to act like grown people. And, too, your grandmother is of a
very formal nature, and she requires correct behavior from everybody.
So I hope you will try your best while you're here not to annoy her."

"Indeed, we will try, Grandpa," said Marjorie. "I think she's very kind
to make a party for us to-morrow, and I'm sure we ought to behave
ourselves. But, Grandpa, you don't know what it is to have to sit so
stiff and still when you're accustomed to racing around and yelling."

"Yes, I suppose that is so; though I didn't know that you were noisy
children. Now I'll tell you what you can do. You can go up in the big
billiard room on the top floor of the house, and there you can make all
the noise you like. You can play games or tell stories or do whatever you
choose."

"Oh! that's lovely, Grandpa," and Marjorie threw her arms around his
neck. "And won't anybody hear us if we make an awful racket?"

"No, the room is too far distant. Now run along up there, and you can
have a pillow-fight if you want to. I believe that's what children
enjoy."

"Well, you come with us, Grandpa, and show us the way," said Kitty,
slipping her hand in his.

And with Marjorie on the other side, and King close behind, they all
went upstairs. The billiard room, though not now used for its original
purpose, was large and pleasant. There was not much furniture in it, but
a cushioned seat ran nearly all round the room with many pillows on it.
As soon as they were fairly in the room, Marjorie picked up a soft and
fluffy pillow, and tossed it at her grandfather, hitting him squarely in
the back of