-husband, Derry, is different. You've got to keep
smiling--"

Her lips trembled and she clung to him. "It is so good to have you
here, Derry."

She admitted, later, that she had confided her troubles to her memory
book. "There weren't any big things, really--just missing you and all
that--"

He was jealous of the memory book. "I shall read every word of it."

"Not until you come back from the war--and then we can laugh at it
together."

They fell into silence after that. With his arms about her he thought
that he might not come back, and she clinging to him had the same
thought. But neither told the other.

"Do you know," she said at last, sitting up and sticking the hairpins
into her crinkled knot. "Do you know that it's almost time for dinner,
and that the General will wonder where I am?"

"I told Bronson not to tell him."

"Oh, really, Derry? Let's make it a great surprise."

Providentially the General was late. He and the children came home to
find the house quite remarkably illumined, and Margaret flushed and
excited, and in white.

"Is it a party, Mother?" Teddy asked, lending his shoulder manfully to
the General's hand, as, with the chauffeur on the other side, they
helped the old man up the stairs.

"No, but on such a rainy night Bronson and I thought we'd have a little
feast. Don't you think that would be fun?"

The General was tired. "I had planned not to come down again--"

"Please do," she begged,

Bronson, knowing his master's moods, was on tip-toe with anxiety.
"I've your things all laid out, sir."

"Well, well, I'll see."

Teddy, somewhat out of breath as they reached the top landing was
inspired to remark, "We'll be 'spointed if you don't come down--"

"You want me, eh?"

"Yes, I do. There isn't any other man--"

The General chuckled. "Well, that's reason enough--. You can count on
me, Ted, for masculine support."

The table was laid for six. Teddy appearing presently in the dining
room pointed out the fact to Bronson, who was taking a last look.

"Is Margaret-Mary coming down?"

"She may later, for the sweets."

"Those aren't her spoons and forks."

"Well, well," said Bronson, "so they aren't"; but he did not have them
changed.

The General in his dinner coat, perfectly groomed, immaculate, found
Jean in rose and silver waiting for him.

"How gay we are," he said, and pinched her cheek.

Teddy in white linen and patent leathers also approved. "You've