ith--great, hearty laughs, which showed his delight; somebody
that made Miss Felicia raise her head and listen, a light breaking over
her face. Then Peter's head was thrust in the door:

"Here he is, Felicia. Come along, Holker--I have been wondering--"

"Been wondering what, Peter? That I'd stay away a minute longer than I
could help after this dear lady had arrived?... Ah, Miss Felicia! Just
as magnificent and as young as ever. Still got that Marie Antoinette
look about you--you ought really--"

"Stop that nonsense, Holker, right away," she cried, advancing a step to
greet him.

"But it's all true, and--"

"Stop, I tell you; none of your sugar-coated lies. I am seventy if I am
a day, and look it, and if it were not for these furbelows I would look
eighty. Now tell me about yourself and Kitty and the boys, and whether
the Queen has sent you the Gold Medal yet, and if the big Library is
finished and--"

"Whew! what a cross examination. Wait--I'll draw up a set of
specifications and hand them in with a new plan of my life."

"You will do nothing of the kind! You will draw up a chair--here, right
alongside of me, and tell me about Kitty and--No, Peter, he is not going
to be taken over and introduced to Ruth for at least five minutes. Peter
has fallen in love with her, Holker, and I do not blame him. One of
these young fellows--there he is still talking to her--hasn't left her
side since he put his eyes on her. Now begin--The Medal?--

"Expected by next steamer."

"The Corn Exchange?"

"All finished but the inside work."

"Kitty?"

"All finished but the outside work."

Miss Felicia looked up. "Your wife, I mean, you stupid fellow."

"Yes, I know. She would have come with me but her dress didn't arrive in
time."

Miss Felicia laughed: "And the boys?"

"Still in Paris--buying bric-a-brac and making believe they're studying
architecture and--But I'm not going to answer another question.
Attention! Miss Felicia Grayson at the bar!"

The dear lady straightened her back, her face crinkling with merriment.

"Present!" she replied, drawing down the corners Of her mouth.

"When did you leave home? How long will you stay? Can you come to
dinner--you and Methusaleh--on Wednesday night?"

"I refuse to answer by advice of counsel. As to coming to dinner, I
am not going anywhere for a week--then I am coming to you and Kitty,
whether it is Wednesday or any other night. Now, Peter, take him away.
He's so puffed u