an opera last month at the Auditorium. As we came
away Alice asked: "Was n't it grand?"

"Yes," I answered, "and yet amid it all I was oppressed by a feeling of
sadness. For, of all the six thousand souls in that splendid building,
only you and I, dear Alice, were aware that the old Schmittheimer place
had passed into the possession of the two happiest people on earth."

XV

THE QUESTION OF INSURANCE

My neighbor, Mr. Teddy, called on me one morning as I sat under a
willow tree watching the tinner at work on the roof and wondering
whether it was really as nice and warm on a tin roof under an
unobscured sun as it seemed to be.

"Do you know," said Mr. Teddy, cordially, "this is the first time I
have ever visited this place. Frequently in my walks of an evening I
have passed here, and, in common with others, I have admired the
graceful slope of the lawn, the stately dignity of the trees, and the
bright colors of the flowers that here and there dot the verdant
expanse. Surely in the possession of this charming estate you are, my
dear friend, one of the most fortunate of mortals. Your life amid
these picturesque environments, in this sequestered spot, far from the
din and turmoil of the urban throng, will be in every respect ideal--a
dream, sir, a poetic dream."

You will perhaps understand by this time that I regard Mr. Teddy as an
exceptionally worthy and pleasant gentleman.

"And," continued Mr. Teddy, "it would be cruel if your studious
researches in this academic grove were by any chance to be interrupted
by any harassing business care. The serpent of worldly solicitude,
sir, should never be suffered to enter this veritable Eden."

"You are right, my good friend and neighbor," said I, "but how can I
prevent the intrusion of care, since, alas! I am merely human?"

"It behooves you to make provision against every contingency," answered
Mr. Teddy. "Do I understand that you carry insurance upon this
residence?"

"Insurance? Why, no, I think not," said I. "Insurance is a matter I
never thought of."

"Is it possible," cried Mr. Teddy, "that you have neglected to provide
against that serious loss which would accrue if a careless workman were
to drop a lighted match in yonder pile of shavings? Think for one
moment, sir, of the ruin that would confront you if this magnificent
but uninsured architectural pile were to be swept away by the pale hand
of the remorseless fire fiend! I beg of you to prov