kind of bear I should be afraid of," says Sukey.

"Not really!" says Hamilton. "Why, say----"

"Please!" protests Blair. "I don't care to talk about such creatures.
I'm afraid of them even when I see them caged. I've an instinctive dread
of all big beasts. Smile, if you like. But all truly civilized persons
feel the same. I'm not a cave man, you know. Besides, I prefer telling
the truth about such things to making believe I'm not afraid, as a lot
of would-be mighty hunters do."

"Not meaning me, I hope?" asks Nutt.

"If you're innocent, don't dodge," says Blair. "And I--I think I'll not
wait for Ferdinand any longer. Tell him I was here, will you?" And with
a nod to me he does a snappy exit.

"A constant joy, Sukey is," remarks Hamilton. "Why, when we were up in
the Adirondacks that summer, we used to----"

What they used to do to Sukey I'll never know; for just then Mr. Robert
sails in, and Nutt breaks off the account. He'd spieled along for half
an hour in his usual vein when Mr. Robert flags him long enough to call
me over.

"By the way, Torchy," says Mr. Robert, "before I forget it----" and he
hands me one of Marjorie's cards with a date and "Music" written in the
southwest corner. I gazes at it puzzled.

"I strongly suspect," he goes on, "that a certain young lady may be
among those present."

"Oh!" says I, pinkin' up some, I expect. "Much obliged. In that case I'm
strong for music. Some swell piano performer, eh?"

"A young violinist," says Mr. Robert, "a friend of Ferdie's, I believe,
who----"

"Bet a million it's Sukey!" breaks in Nutt. "Blair Hiscock, isn't it!"

"That is his name," admits Mr. Robert. "But this is to be nothing
formal, you know: only Marjorie is bringing him down to the house, and
has asked in a few people."

"By George!" says Nutt, slappin' his knee enthusiastic. "Couldn't you
get me in on that affair, Bob?"

"Why--er--I might," says Mr. Robert. "I didn't know, though, that you
were passionately fond of violin music. It's to be rather a classical
programme, and----"

"Classic be blowed!" says Nutt. "What I want is a fair whack at Sukey.
Seen him, haven't you?"

Mr. Robert shakes his head.

"Well, wait until you do," says Hamilton. "Say, he's a rare treat,
Sukey. About as big as a fox terrier, and just as snappy. Oh, you'll
love Sukey! If he doesn't hand you something peppery before you've known
him ten minutes, then I'm mistaken. Know what he used to call your
sister Ma