him while Henrietta went to prepare
their mother for the drive.

"How well they get on together," said Mrs. Marne, smiling at the gay
laughter that now and then floated up the stairs.

As they came slowly down, the elder woman leaning heavily upon the
other's shoulder, Felix Brand ran into the hall, exclaiming:

"Why didn't you call me and let me bring her down!" And at once,
notwithstanding her assurance that she could walk, he picked her up
and carried her to the street in his arms, saying, "I can just as well
save you that fatigue," and carefully settled her in the automobile.

"You'll sit in the front with me and help me drive, won't you?" he
said to Isabella as the two girls came out cloaked and furred.

"Yes, do, Bella," said Henrietta cordially in response to a glance
from her sister, "and give me a chance to show what good care I can
take of mother."

Although Isabella was the elder of the two by three years and formerly
had been accustomed to take the lead between them, since the younger
had become the support of the family she was beginning, quite
unconsciously, to lean upon and defer to her sister. During the drive
Henrietta and her mother exchanged many pleased glances as they
listened to the merry chatter and the frequent laughter that drifted
back from the front seat. It was a smiling Felix Brand, suave, serene,
and courtly of manner, who helped them from the machine on their
return and carried Mrs. Marne into the house.

"Please don't," he said as they protested their enjoyment of the ride
and their sense of his kindness. "For I assure you it has meant a
great deal more pleasure and benefit to me than it possibly could to
you."

"I think he really meant that," said Henrietta when the three women,
alone again, were talking over what Mrs. Marne called their "little
escapade," "because when he came he seemed so disturbed and depressed
and by the time we got back he was quite himself again. I think it was
mainly you, Isabella," she smiled at her sister, "for you seemed to
have a very stimulating effect on him."

"Oh, I'm willing to be a cocktail for him whenever he wants to bring
his auto over here. Never mind, mother," and she kissed one finger at
Mrs. Marne in response to that lady's shocked "Isabella!" "That's just
modern symbolism, you know. And the ride has made you look as if you'd
had one yourself. I'm going to write to Warren that I've found a much
nicer and handsomer man than he is and if