h
there to render my fullest homage. He has always been one of my heroes,
you know." She laughingly lifted her hands and counted upon her
fingers--"'The Jumping Frog,' Tom and Huck, and 'Mulberry Sellers,' 'The
Prince and the Pauper,' and 'Pudd'nhead Wilson'! I know them all by
heart!"

"Our introduction is complete," I said reverently. "Let's consider
ourselves old friends."

"I rather thought we'd understand each other," she said in her even,
mellow tones. "You know, we had your photograph out East--a very good
one, it seems--so I had an idea of what you looked like."

"The photograph gave you an unfair advantage! And I didn't know Uncle
Bash carried one away with him."

"He was very fond of you," she said gravely. "He was very proud that you
had gone into the war."

"I am glad to hear that; I thought he disapproved of me for refusing to
go into business. He offered me a substantial interest before he sold
out."

"I know that; but I think he liked you rather better for refusing it.
Business with him was merely a means to an end. And it was doubly sad
that he should die just when he was free to enjoy the beautiful things
he loved."

It was at the tip of my tongue to say that the loss of her companionship
was even more grievous; but nothing in her manner invited such a
comment. Her grave moods were to be respected, and she talked for some
time of Uncle Bash's life in the East, of his short illness and quite
unexpected death.

"But I'm keeping you," she exclaimed suddenly, jumping down from the
wall. "And I must finish my unpacking."

As we walked to the house I answered her questions about the
neighborhood, and promised to telephone Torrence immediately of her
arrival.

"You will have luncheon with us--or maybe dinner would be better--or
both? Antoine told me of your bachelor establishment, but eating alone
is bad for the digestion. I shall think you resent my coming if you
don't dine at the house every day. Mrs. Farnsworth--my friend and
companion--is a very interesting woman. I am sure you will like her."

The information that she was protected in her youthful widowhood by a
companion was imparted neatly.

"It was really much nicer, meeting this way," she said, giving me her
hand. "We shall expect you at seven."

I found them on the veranda, which had been transformed since my last
glimpse of it. Rugs, wicker furniture, wall-pockets of flowers, and
paper lanterns dropped over the electric lights gav