soon again to see them. But he did
not, and his feeling of shame was more definite than his gratitude when
he in time received a note from Mrs. Foss, kind as ever, asking him to
dine.

CHAPTER III

There was dancing at the Fosses' on two Fridays in the month. It was
their contribution toward the gaiety of the winter. They did not often
give a formal dinner, and when such an entertainment appeared to be
called for from them, planned it with forethought to make it serve as
many ends as it would. Every careful housewife will understand.

It was with Leslie that Mrs. Foss talked such matters over. The eldest
daughter was so sufficient as adjutant that one did not inquire whether
Brenda would have been useful if needed. The latter took no part in the
domestic councils which had for object to decide who should be asked to
dinner and of what the dinner should consist.

The question whom to invite to meet Professor Longstreet had taken Mrs.
Foss and Leslie time and reflection. The Fosses' only son had a great
regard for this man, one of the faculty during his period at Harvard,
and now that the travels of the professor's sabbatical year brought him
to Florence, the family was anxious to entertain him as dear John,
studying medicine in far-off Boston, would have wished.

The professor was engaged upon a new translation of the "Divine Comedy."
The guests had therefore better be chosen among their literary
acquaintance, thought Mrs. Foss. But Leslie was of the opinion that they
would do better to make the requisite just any gift or grace, and keep
an eye on having the company compose well and the table look beautiful.

When she reminded her mother that a dinner was owing the Balm de Brezes,
and that this would be a chance to pay the debt, Mrs. Foss objected:

"But I want to ask Gerald. I felt sorry for him last time he came. We
must look after him a little bit, you know."

Leslie did not show herself in any wise disposed to set aside Gerald's
claim, but expressed the idea that Gerald probably would not mind
meeting the De Brezes now. After all, the memories sweet and sour
associated with them had had time to lose their edge. And they could be
seated at the opposite end of the table.

It was finally decided to ask the Balm de Brezes, Gerald, the Felixsons,
Miss Cecilia Brown, and Gideon Hart, all intelligent, all people who
could talk. It was further frugally resolved to have the dinner on a
Friday and let it be