out
charm.

Sam Blaney, too, looked ill-dressed and out of place. He had bowed to
convention to the extent of wearing evening clothes, but they were not
of correct cut, and did not fit well, and he wore an absurd tie of soft
silk, of his favourite light green hue, which gave him the appearance
of a caricature.

However, the two were most affable and agreeable, and their soft, low
voices murmured pleasantries suitable to the occasion.

At dinner the conversation turned on the approaching Christmas
celebration of the Cosmic Centre.

"What a funny name," said Channing. "Sounds like a small village in
New England."

"So it does," returned Sam Blaney, taking the jest in good part. "But
we call our club that modest little name because we think ourselves the
centre of the Universe."

"I always admire self-respect," said Mr. Fairfield, smiling; "I hold
that a man or a club with full appreciation of self-merit can't go far
wrong."

"And Cosmic Centre is so very expressive," said Channing. "I don't see
how you could have well found anything more inclusive."

"Mrs. Fairfield calls you the Cosmickers," put in Patty, smiling at Nan.

"And a very good name," agreed Alla. "Cosmickers sounds a bit like
picknickers, and often that's what we are."

"What is your real end and aim?" asked Mr. Fairfield, seriously.

"Advancement of beauty and appreciation of art," replied Alla, looking
thoughtful and a little affected.

"Interpretation of beauty," amended her brother. "We endeavour to
imbue our souls with the highest and best emotions and to discard and
disown all that is merely conventional and formal in life or in
thought."

"Meaning the outward and ordinary signs of clothes and manners?" said
Chick.

Patty detected the chaffing note in his voice, but his tone was grave
and respectful, and after a quick glance at him, Blaney replied, "Yes,
and the inner graces of poesy and music of the soul."

"In fact, you use your soul instead of your mind or brain," Chick
continued, and now Patty gave him an imploring glance, meant to beg him
not to guy the Cosmic principles.

But Alla had no thought of Chick's insincerity. "That is it," she
said. "We use our souls for everything, even physical processes. One
of our geniuses is inventing a dance for Miss Fairfield. Appreciating
her genius for dancing, he is making a masterpiece in which she can
dance with her soul----"

"Put her whole sole in her dancing," said Chick,