ut
it's got away past being a lark," she continued, her voice and face
growing stern. "There is a lot of suffering among the workers. I know
all my money has gone," she added, after a moment, with a gay laugh.

Meantime, the officer commanding the column had spoken a few words to
the leader of the band, and in response, to the surprise and dismay of
the venerable Doctor, the band struck up that rollicking air associated
with the time-honoured chorus, "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." Then all
stood silent, gazing at the Doctor, who, much embarrassed, could only
gaze back in return.

"Papa, dear," said Adrien, who with Hugh Maynard had joined them at the
gate, "you will have to speak to them."

"Speak to them, my dear? What in the world could I say? I have nothing
to say to them."

"Oh, but you must, Papa! Just thank them."

"And tell them you are all for them, Daddy!" added Patricia impulsively.

Then the old Doctor, buttoning his coat tightly about him and drawing
himself erect, said:

"Rupert, please run your car out to the road. Thank you." Mounting
the car, he stood waiting quietly till the cheering had died down into
silence, his beautiful, noble, saintly face lit with the faint glow
that still came from the western sky but more with the inner light that
shines from a soul filled with high faith in God and compassion for man.

"Gentlemen--" he began.

"Ladies, too, Papa," said Patricia in a clear undertone.

"Ah!" corrected the Doctor. "Ladies and Gentlemen:" while a laugh ran
down the line. "One generally begins a speech with the words 'I am glad
to see you here.' These words I cannot say this evening. I regret more
deeply than you can understand the occasion of your being here at all.
And in this regret I know that you all share. But I am glad that I
can say from my heart that I feel honoured by and deeply moved by
the compliment you have just paid me through your band. I could wish,
indeed, that I was the 'jolly good fellow' you have said, but as I look
at you I confess I am anything but 'jolly.' I have been in too many of
your homes during the last three weeks to be jolly. The simple truth
is, I am deeply saddened and, whatever be the rights or wrongs, and
all fair-minded men will agree that there are rights and wrongs on
both sides, my heart goes out in sympathy to all who are suffering and
anxious and fearful for the future. I will try to do my best to bring
about a better understanding."

"We kno