"Please could I say one word?" was the question three timesrepeated before a rough head bobbed out from the grotto of booksin which Mac usually sat when he studied.

"Did anyone speak?" he asked, blinking in the flood of sunshinethat entered with Rose.

"Only three times, thank you. Don't disturb yourself, I beg, for Imerely want to say a word," answered Rose as she prevented himfrom offering the easy chair in which he sat.

"I was rather deep in a compound fracture and didn't hear. Whatcan I do for you, Cousin?" And Mac shoved a stack of pamphletsoff the chair near him with a hospitable wave of the hand that senthis papers flying in all directions.

Rose sat down, but did not seem to find her "word" an easy one toutter, for she twisted her handkerchief about her fingers inembarrassed silence till Mac put on his glasses and, after a keenlook, asked soberly: "Is it a splinter, a cut, or a whitlow, ma'am?"

"It is neither. Do forget your tiresome surgery for a minute and bethe kindest cousin that ever was," answered Rose, beginning rathersharply and ending with her most engaging smile.

"Can't promise in the dark," said the wary youth.

"It is a favor, a great favor, and one I don't choose to ask any of theother boys," answered the artful damsel.

Mac looked pleased and leaned forward, saying more affably,"Name it, and be sure I'll grant it if I can."

"Go with me to Mrs. Hope's party tomorrow night."

"What!" And Mac recoiled as if she had put a pistol to his head.

"I've left you in peace a long time, but it is your turn now, so doyour duty like a man and a cousin."

"But I never go to parties!" cried the unhappy victim in greatdismay.

"High time you began, sir."

"But I don't dance fit to be seen."

"I'll teach you."

"My dress coat isn't decent, I know."

"Archie will lend you one he isn't going."

"I'm afraid there's a lecture that I ought not to cut."

"No, there isn't I asked Uncle."

"I'm always so tired and dull in the evening."

"This sort of thing is just what you want to rest and freshen up yourspirits."

Mac gave a groan and fell back vanquished, for it was evident thatescape was impossible.

"What put such a perfectly wild idea into your head?" hedemanded, rather roughly, for hitherto he had been left in peaceand this sudden attack decidedly amazed him.

"Sheer necessity, but don't do it if it is so very dreadful to you. Imust go to several more parties, because they are made for me, butafter that I'll refuse, and then no one need be troubled with me."

Something in Rose's voice made Mac answer penitently, evenwhile he knit his brows in perplexity. "I don't mean to be rude, andof course I'll go anywhere if I'm really needed. But I don'tunderstand where the sudden necessity is, with three other fellowsat command, all better dancers and beaus than I am."

"I don't want them, and I do want you, for I haven't the heart todrag Uncle out anymore, and you know I never go with anygentleman but those of my own family."

"Now look here, Rose if Steve has been doing anything to teaseyou, just mention it and I'll attend to him," cried Mac, plainlyseeing that something was amiss and fancying that Dandy was atthe bottom of it, as he had done escort duty several times lately.

"No, Steve has been very good, but I know he had rather be withKitty Van, so of course I feel like a marplot, though he is too politeto hint it."

"What a noodle that boy is! But there's Archie he's steady as achurch and has no sweetheart to interfere," continued Mac, boundto get at the truth and half suspecting what it was.

"He is on his feet all day, and Aunt Jessie wants him in theevening. He does not care for dancing as he used, and I suppose hereally does prefer to rest and read." Rose might have added, "Andhear Phebe sing," for Phebe did not go out as much as Rose did,and Aunt Jessie often came to sit with the old lady when the youngfolks were away and, of course, dutiful Archie came with her, sowillingly of late!

"What's amiss with Charlie? I thought he was the prince ofcavaliers. Annabel says he dances 'like an angel,' and I know adozen mothers couldn't keep him at home of an evening. Have youhad a tiff with Adonis and so fall back on poor me?" asked Mac,coming last to the person of whom he thought first but did notmention, feeling shy about alluding to a subject often discussedbehind her back.

"Yes, I have, and I don't intend to go with him any more for sometime. His ways do not suit me, and mine do not suit him, so I wantto be quite independent, and you can help me if you will," saidRose, rather nervously spinning the big globe close by.

Mac gave a low whistle, looking wide awake all in a minute as hesaid with a gesture, as if he brushed a cobweb off his face: "Now,see here, Cousin, I'm not good at mysteries and shall only blunderif you put me blindfold into any nice maneuver. Just tell mestraight out what you want and I'll do it if I can. Play I'm Uncle andfree your mind come now."

He spoke so kindly, and the honest eyes were so full of merrygoodwill, that Rose thought she might confide in him andanswered as frankly as he could desire: "You are right, Mac, and Idon't mind talking to you almost as freely as to Uncle, because youare such a reliable fellow and won't think me silly for trying to dowhat I believe to be right. Charlie does, and so makes it hard forme to hold to my resolutions. I want to keep early hours, dresssimply, and behave properly no matter what fashionable people do.You will agree to that, I'm sure, and stand by me through thick andthin for principle's sake."

"I will, and begin by showing you that I understand the case. I don'twonder you are not pleased, for Charlie is too presuming, and youdo need someone to help you head him off a bit. Hey, Cousin?"

"What a way to put it!" And Rose laughed in spite of herself,adding with an air of relief, "That is it, and I do want someone tohelp me make him understand that I don't choose to be takenpossession of in that lordly way, as if I belonged to him more thanto the rest of the family. I don't like it, for people begin to talk, andCharlie won't see how disagreeable it is to me."

"Tell him so," was Mac's blunt advice.

"I have, but he only laughs and promises to behave, and then hedoes it again when I am so placed that I can't say anything. Youwill never understand, and I cannot explain, for it is only a look, ora word, or some little thing but I won't have it, and the best way tocure him is to put it out of his power to annoy me so."

"He is a great flirt and wants to teach you how, I suppose. I'll speakto him if you like and tell him you don't want to learn. Shall I?"asked Mac, finding the case rather an interesting one.

"No, thank you that would only make trouble. If you will kindlyplay escort a few times, it will show Charlie that I am in earnestwithout more words and put a stop to the gossip," said Rose,coloring like a poppy at the recollection of what she heard oneyoung man whisper to another as Charlie led her through acrowded supper room with his most devoted air, "Lucky dog! He issure to get the heiress, and we are nowhere."

"There's no danger of people gossiping about us, is there?" AndMac looked up with the oddest of all his odd expressions.

"Of course not you're only a boy."

"I'm twenty-one, thank you, and Prince is but a couple of yearsolder," said Mac, promptly resenting the slight put upon hismanhood.

"Yes, but he is like other young men, while you are a dear oldbookworm. No one would ever mind what you did, so you may goto parties with me every night and not a word would be said or, ifthere was, I shouldn't mind since it is 'only Mac,'" answered Rose,smiling as she quoted a household phrase often used to excuse hisvagaries.

"Then I am nobody?" he said, lifting his brows as if the discoverysurprised and rather nettled him.

"Nobody in society as yet, but my very best cousin in private, andI've just proved my regard by making you my confidant andchoosing you for my knight," said Rose, hastening to soothe thefeelings her careless words seemed to have ruffled slightly.

"Much good that is likely to do me," grumbled Mac.

"You ungrateful boy, not to appreciate the honor I've conferredupon you! I know a dozen who would be proud of the place, butyou only care for compound fractures, so I won't detain you anylonger, except to ask if I may consider myself provided with anescort for tomorrow night?" said Rose, a trifle hurt at hisindifference, for she was not used to refusals.

"If I may hope for the honor." And, rising, he made her a bowwhich was such a capital imitation of Charlie's grand manner thatshe forgave him at once, exclaiming with amused surprise: "Why,Mac! I didn't know you could be so elegant!"

"A fellow can be almost anything he likes if he tries hard enough,"he answered, standing very straight and looking so tall anddignified that Rose was quite impressed, and with a statelycourtesy she retired, saying graciously: "I accept with thanks. Goodmorning, Dr. Alexander Mackenzie Campbell."

When Friday evening came and word was sent up that her escorthad arrived, Rose ran down, devoutly hoping that he had not comein a velveteen jacket, top-boots, black gloves, or made any triflingmistake of that sort. A young gentleman was standing before thelong mirror, apparently intent upon the arrangement of his hair,and Rose paused suddenly as her eye went from the glossybroadcloth to the white-gloved hands, busy with an unruly lockthat would not stay in place.

"Why, Charlie, I thought " she began with an accent of surprise inher voice, but got no further, for the gentleman turned and shebeheld Mac in immaculate evening costume, with his hair partedsweetly on his brow, a superior posy at his buttonhole, and theexpression of a martyr on his face.

"Ah, don't you wish it was? No one but yourself to thank that itisn't he. Am I right? Dandy got me up, and he ought to know whatis what," demanded Mac, folding his hands and standing as stiff asa ramrod.

"You are so regularly splendid that I don't know you."

"Neither do I."

"I really had no idea you could look so like a gentleman," addedRose, surveying him with great approval.

"Nor that I could feel so like a fool."

"Poor boy! He does look rather miserable. What can I do to cheerhim up in return for the sacrifice he is making?"

"Stop calling me a boy. It will soothe my agony immensely andgive me courage to appear in a low-necked coat and curl on myforehead, for I'm not used to such elegancies and I find them noend of a trial."

Mac spoke in such a pathetic tone, and gave such a gloomy glare atthe aforesaid curl, that Rose laughed in his face and added to hiswoe by handing him her cloak. He surveyed it gravely for aminute, then carefully put it on wrong side out and gave theswan's-down hood a good pull over the head, to the utterdestruction of all smoothness to the curls inside.

Rose uttered a cry and cast off the cloak, bidding him learn to do itproperly, which he meekly did and then led her down the hallwithout walking on her skirts more than three times on the way.But at the door she discovered that she had forgotten her furredovershoes and bade Mac get them.

"Never mind it's not wet," he said, pulling his cap over his eyes andplunging into his coat, regardless of the "elegancies" that afflictedhim.

"But I can't walk on cold stones with thin slippers, can I?" beganRose, showing him a little white foot.

"You needn't, for there you are, my lady." And, unceremoniouslypicking her up, Mac landed her in the carriage before she could saya word.

"What an escort!" she exclaimed in comic dismay, as she rescuedher delicate dress from a rug in which he was about to tuck her uplike a mummy.

"It's 'only Mac,' so don't mind," and he cast himself into anopposite corner with the air of a man who had nerved himself tothe accomplishment of many painful duties and was bound to dothem or die.

"But gentlemen don't catch up ladies like bags of meal and pokethem into carriages in this way. It is evident that you need lookingafter, and it is high time I undertook your society manners. Now,do mind what you are about and don't get yourself or me into ascrape if you can help it," besought Rose, feeling that on manyaccounts she had gone further and fared worse.

"I'll behave like a Turveydrop see if I don't."

Mac's idea of the immortal Turveydrop's behavior seemed to be apeculiar one; for, after dancing once with his cousin, he left her toher own devices and soon forgot all about her in a longconversation with Professor Stumph, the learned geologist. Rosedid not care, for one dance proved to her that that branch of Mac'seducation had been sadly neglected, and she was glad to glidesmoothly about with Steve, though he was only an inch or twotaller than herself. She had plenty of partners, however, and plentyof chaperons, for all the young men were her most devoted, and allthe matrons beamed upon her with maternal benignity.

Charlie was not there, for when he found that Rose stood firm, andhad moreover engaged Mac as a permanency, he would not go atall and retired in high dudgeon to console himself with moredangerous pastimes. Rose feared it would be so, and even in themidst of the gaiety about her an anxious mood came over her nowand then and made her thoughtful for a moment. She felt herpower and wanted to use it wisely, but did not know how to bekind to Charlie without being untrue to herself and giving himfalse hopes.

"I wish we were all children again, with no hearts to perplex usand no great temptations to try us," she said to herself as she resteda minute in a quiet nook while her partner went to get a glass ofwater. Right in the midst of this half-sad, half-sentimental reverie,she heard a familiar voice behind her say earnestly: "And allophiteis the new hydrous silicate of alumina and magnesia, muchresembling pseudophite, which Websky found in Silesia."

"What is Mac talking about!" she thought, and, peeping behind agreat azalea in full bloom, she saw her cousin in deep conversationwith the professor, evidently having a capital time, for his face hadlost its melancholy expression and was all alive with interest,while the elder man was listening as if his remarks were bothintelligent and agreeable.

"What is it?" asked Steve, coming up with the water and seeing asmile on Rose's face.

She pointed out the scientific tete-a-tete going on behind theazalea, and Steve grinned as he peeped, then grew sober and saidin a tone of despair: "If you had seen the pains I took with thatfellow, the patience with which I brushed his wig, the time I spenttrying to convince him that he must wear thin boots, and the fight Ihad to get him into that coat, you'd understand my feelings when Isee him now."

"Why, what's the matter with him?" asked Rose.

"Will you take a look and see what a spectacle he has made ofhimself. He'd better be sent home at once or he will disgrace thefamily by looking as if he'd been in a row."

Steve spoke in such a tragic tone that Rose took another peep anddid sympathize with Dandy, for Mac's elegance was quite gone.His tie was under one ear, his posy hung upside down, his gloveswere rolled into a ball, which he absently squeezed and pounded ashe talked, and his hair looked as if a whirlwind had passed over it,for his ten fingers set it on end now and then, as they had a habit ofdoing when he studied or talked earnestly. But he looked so happyand wide awake, in spite of his dishevelment, that Rose gave anapproving nod and said behind her fan: "It is a trying spectacle,Steve yet, on the whole, I think his own odd ways suit him best andI fancy we shall be proud of him, for he knows more than all therest of us put together. Hear that now." And Rose paused that theymight listen to the following burst of eloquence from Mac's lips:"You know Frenzal has shown that the globular forms of silicate ofbismuth at Schneeburg and Johanngeorgenstadt are not isometric,but monoclinic in crystalline form, and consequently he separatesthem from the old eulytite and gives them the new nameAgricolite."

"Isn't it awful? Let us get out of this before there's anotheravalanche or we shall be globular silicates and isometric crystalsin spite of ourselves," whispered Steve with a panic-stricken air,and they fled from the hailstorm of hard words that rattled abouttheir ears, leaving Mac to enjoy himself in his own way.

But when Rose was ready to go home and looked about for herescort, he was nowhere to be seen, for the professor had departed,and Mac with him, so absorbed in some new topic that he entirelyforgot his cousin and went placidly home, still pondering on thecharms of geology. When this pleasing fact dawned upon Rose herfeelings may be imagined. She was both angry and amused it wasso like Mac to go mooning off and leave her to her fate. Not a hardone, however; for, though Steve was gone with Kitty before herplight was discovered, Mrs. Bliss was only too glad to take thedeserted damsel under her wing and bear her safely home.

Rose was warming her feet and sipping the chocolate which Phebealways had ready for her, as she never ate supper, when a hurriedtap came at the long window whence the light streamed and Mac'svoice was heard softly asking to be let in "just for one minute."

Curious to know what had befallen him, Rose bade Phebe obey hiscall and the delinquent cavalier appeared, breathless, anxious, andmore dilapidated than ever, for he had forgotten his overcoat; histie was at the back of his neck now; and his hair as rampantly erectas if all the winds of heaven had been blowing freely through it, asthey had, for he had been tearing to and fro the last half hour,trying to undo the dreadful deed he had so innocently committed.

"Don't take any notice of me, for I don't deserve it. I only came tosee that you were safe, Cousin, and then go hang myself, as Steveadvised," he began in a remorseful tone that would have been veryeffective if he had not been obliged to catch his breath with acomical gasp now and then.

"I never thought you would be the one to desert me," said Rosewith a reproachful look, thinking it best not to relent too soon,though she was quite ready to do it when she saw how sincerelydistressed he was.

"It was that confounded man! He was a regular walkingencyclopedia, and, finding I could get a good deal out of him, Iwent in for general information, as the time was short. You know Ialways forget everything else when I get hold of such a fellow."

"That is evident. I wonder how you came to remember me at all,"answered Rose, on the brink of a laugh it was so absurd.

"I didn't till Steve said something that reminded me then it burstupon me, in one awful shock, that I'd gone and left you, and youmight have knocked me down with a feather," said honest Mac,hiding none of his iniquity.

"What did you do then?"

"Do! I went off like a shot and never stopped till I reached theHopes'"

"You didn't walk all the way?" cried Rose.

"Bless you, no I ran. But you were gone with Mrs. Bliss, so I peltedback again to see with my own eyes that you were safe at home,"answered Mac with a sigh of relief, wiping his hot forehead.

"But it is three miles at least each way, and twelve o'clock, anddark and cold. Oh, Mac! How could you!" exclaimed Rose,suddenly realizing what he had done as she heard his laboredbreathing, saw the state of the thin boots, and detected the absenceof an overcoat.

"Couldn't do less, could I?" asked Mac, leaning up against the doorand trying not to pant.

"There was no need of half killing yourself for such a trifle. Youmight have known I could take care of myself for once, at least,with so many friends about. Sit down this minute. Bring anothercup, please, Phebe this boy isn't going home till he is rested andrefreshed after such a run as that," commanded Rose.

"Don't be good to me I'd rather take a scolding than a chair, anddrink hemlock instead of chocolate if you happen to have anyready," answered Mac with a pathetic puff as he subsided onto thesofa and meekly took the draft Phebe brought him.

"If you had anything the matter with your heart, sir, a race of thissort might be the death of you so never do it again," said Rose,offering her fan to cool his heated countenance.

"Haven't got any heart."

"Yes, you have, for I hear it beating like a trip-hammer, and it ismy fault I ought to have stopped as we went by and told you I wasall right."

"It's the mortification, not the miles, that upsets me. I often takethat run for exercise and think nothing of it but tonight I was somad I made extra-good time, I fancy. Now don't you worry, butcompose your mind and 'sip your dish of tea,' as Evelina says,"answered Mac, artfully turning the conversation from himself.

"What do you know about Evelina?" asked Rose in great surprise.

"All about her. Do you suppose I never read a novel?"

"I thought you read nothing but Greek and Latin, with anoccasional glance at Websky's pseudophites and the monoclinicsof Johanngeorgenstadt."

Mac opened his eyes wide at this reply, then seemed to see thejoke and joined in the laugh with such heartiness that Aunt Plenty'svoice was heard demanding from above with sleepy anxiety: "Isthe house afire?"

"No, ma'am, everything is safe, and I'm only saying good night,"answered Mac, diving for his cap.

"Then go at once and let that child have her sleep," added the oldlady, retiring to her bed.

Rose ran into the hall, and catching up her uncle's fur coat, metMac as he came out of the study, absently looking about for hisown.

"You haven't any, you benighted boy! So take this, and have yourwits about you next time or I won't let you off so easily," she said,holding up the heavy garment and peeping over it, with no sign ofdispleasure in her laughing eyes.

"Next time! Then you do forgive me? You will try me again, andgive me a chance to prove that I'm not a fool?" cried Mac,embracing the big coat with emotion.

"Of course I will, and, so far from thinking you a fool, I was muchimpressed with your learning tonight and told Steve that we oughtto be proud of our philosopher."

"Learning be hanged! I'll show you that I'm not a bookworm but asmuch a man as any of them, and then you may be proud or not, asyou like!" cried Mac with a defiant nod that caused the glasses toleap wildly off his nose as he caught up his hat and departed as hecame.

A day or two later Rose went to call upon Aunt Jane, as shedutifully did once or twice a week. On her way upstairs she heard asingular sound in the drawing room and involuntarily stopped tolisten.

"One, two, three, slide! One, two, three, turn! Now, then, comeon!" said one voice impatiently.

"It's very easy to say 'come on,' but what the dickens do I do withmy left leg while I'm turning and sliding with my right?"demanded another voice in a breathless and mournful tone.

Then the whistling and thumping went on more vigorously thanbefore, and Rose, recognizing the voices, peeped through thehalf-open door to behold a sight which made her shake withsuppressed laughter. Steve, with a red tablecloth tied around hiswaist, languished upon Mac's shoulder, dancing in perfect time tothe air he whistled, for Dandy was proficient in the graceful artand plumed himself upon his skill. Mac, with a flushed face anddizzy eye, clutched his brother by the small of his back, vainlyendeavoring to steer him down the long room without entanglinghis own legs in the tablecloth, treading on his partner's toes, orcolliding with the furniture. It was very droll, and Rose enjoyed thespectacle till Mac, in a frantic attempt to swing around, dashedhimself against the wall and landed Steve upon the floor. Then itwas impossible to restrain her laughter any longer and she walkedin upon them, saying merrily: "It was splendid! Do it again, and I'llplay for you."

Steve sprang up and tore off the tablecloth in great confusion,while Mac, still rubbing his head, dropped into a chair, trying tolook quite calm and cheerful as he gasped out: "How are you,Cousin? When did you come? John should have told us."

"I'm glad he didn't, for then I should have missed this touchingtableau of cousinly devotion and brotherly love. Getting ready forour next party, I see."

"Trying to, but there are so many things to remember all at oncekeep time, steer straight, dodge the petticoats, and manage myconfounded legs that it isn't easy to get on at first," answered Macwith a sigh of exhaustion, wiping his hot forehead.

"Hardest job I ever undertook and, as I'm not a battering ram, Idecline to be knocked round any longer," growled Steve, dustinghis knees and ruefully surveying the feet that had been trampled ontill they tingled, for his boots and broadcloth were dear to the heartof the dapper youth.

"Very good of you, and I'm much obliged. I've got the pace, I think,and can practice with a chair to keep my hand in," said Mac withsuch a comic mixture of gratitude and resignation that Rose wentoff again so irresistibly that her cousins joined her with a heartyroar.

"As you are making a martyr of yourself in my service, the least Ican do is lend a hand. Play for us, Steve, and I'll give Mac a lesson,unless he prefers the chair." And, throwing off her hat and cloak,Rose beckoned so invitingly that the gravest philosopher wouldhave yielded.

"A thousand thanks, but I'm afraid I shall hurt you," began Mac,much gratified, but mindful of past mishaps.

"I'm not. Steve didn't manage his train well, for good dancersalways loop theirs up. I have none at all, so that trouble is gone andthe music will make it much easier to keep step. Just do as I tellyou, and you'll go beautifully after a few turns."

"I will, I will! Pipe up, Steve! Now, Rose!" And, brushing his hairout of his eyes with an air of stern determination, Mac graspedRose and returned to the charge bent on distinguishing himself ifhe died in the attempt.

The second lesson prospered, for Steve marked the time by a seriesof emphatic bangs; Mac obeyed orders as promptly as if his lifedepended on it; and, after several narrow escapes at excitingmoments, Rose had the satisfaction of being steered safely downthe room and landed with a grand pirouette at the bottom. Steveapplauded, and Mac, much elated, exclaimed with artless candor:"There really is a sort of inspiration about you, Rose. I alwaysdetested dancing before, but now, do you know, I rather like it."

"I knew you would, only you mustn't stand with your arm roundyour partner in this way when you are done. You must seat and fanher, if she likes it," said Rose, anxious to perfect a pupil whoseemed so lamentably in need of a teacher.

"Yes, of course, I know how they do it." And, releasing his cousin,Mac raised a small whirlwind around her with a folded newspaper,so full of zeal that she had not the heart to chide him again.

"Well done, old fellow. I begin to have hopes of you and will orderyou a new dress coat at once, since you are really going in for theproprieties of life," said Steve from the music stool, with theapproving nod of one who was a judge of said proprieties. "Now,Rose, if you will just coach him a little in his small talk, he won'tmake a laughingstock of himself as he did the other night," addedSteve. "I don't mean his geological gabble that was bad enough,but his chat with Emma Curtis was much worse. Tell her, Mac,and see if she doesn't think poor Emma had a right to think you afirst-class bore."

"I don't see why, when I merely tried to have a little sensibleconversation," began Mac with reluctance, for he had beenunmercifully chaffed by his cousins, to whom his brother hadbetrayed him.

"What did you say? I won't laugh if I can help it," said Rose,curious to hear, for Steve's eyes were twinkling with fun.

"Well, I knew she was fond of theaters, so I tried that first and goton pretty well till I began to tell her how they managed thosethings in Greece. Most interesting subject, you know?"

"Very. Did you give her one of the choruses or a bit ofAgamemnon, as you did when you described it to me?" askedRose, keeping sober with difficulty as she recalled that serio-comicscene.

"Of course not, but I was advising her to read Prometheus whenshe gaped behind her fan and began to talk about Phebe. What a'nice creature' she was, 'kept her place,' dressed according to herstation, and that sort of twaddle. I suppose it was rather rude, butbeing pulled up so short confused me a bit, and I said the firstthing that came into my head, which was that I thought Phebe thebest-dressed woman in the room because she wasn't all fuss andfeathers like most of the girls."

"Oh, Mac! That to Emma, who makes it the labor of her life to bealways in the height of fashion and was particularly splendid thatnight. What did she say?" cried Rose, full of sympathy for bothparties.

"She bridled and looked daggers at me."

"And what did you do?"

"I bit my tongue and tumbled out of one scrape into another.Following her example, I changed the subject by talking about thecharity concert for the orphans, and when she gushed about the'little darlings,' I advised her to adopt one and wondered whyyoung ladies didn't do that sort of thing, instead of cuddling catsand lapdogs."

"Unhappy boy! Her pug is the idol of her life, and she hatesbabies," said Rose.

"More fool she! Well, she got my opinion on the subject, anyway,and she's very welcome, for I went on to say that I thought it wouldnot only be a lovely charity, but excellent training for the timewhen they had little darlings of their own. No end of poor thingsdie through the ignorance of mothers, you know," added Mac, soseriously that Rose dared not smile at what went before.

"Imagine Emma trotting round with a pauper baby under her arminstead of her cherished Toto," said Steve with an ecstatic twirl onthe stool.

"Did she seem to like your advice, Monsieur Malapropos?" askedRose, wishing she had been there.

"No, she gave a little shriek and said, 'Good gracious, Mr.Campbell, how droll you are! Take me to Mama, please,' which Idid with a thankful heart. Catch me setting her pug's leg again,"ended Mac with a grim shake of the head.

"Never mind. You were unfortunate in your listener that time.Don't think all girls are so foolish. I can show you a dozen sensibleones who would discuss dress reform and charity with you andenjoy Greek tragedy if you did the chorus for them as you did forme," said Rose consolingly, for Steve would only jeer.

"Give me a list of them, please, and I'll cultivate theiracquaintance. A fellow must have some reward for making ateetotum of himself."

"I will with pleasure; and if you dance well they will make it verypleasant for you, and you'll enjoy parties in spite of yourself."

"I cannot be a 'glass of fashion and a mold of form' like Dandyhere, but I'll do my best: only, if I had my choice, I'd much rathergo round the streets with an organ and a monkey," answered Macdespondently.

"Thank you kindly for the compliment," and Rose made him a lowcourtesy, while Steve cried, "Now you have done it!" in a tone ofreproach which reminded the culprit, all too late, that he wasRose's chosen escort.

"By the gods, so I have!" And casting away the newspaper with agesture of comic despair, Mac strode from the room, chantingtragically the words of Cassandra, "'Woe! woe! O Earth! OApollo! I will dare to die; I will accost the gates of Hades, andmake my prayer that I may receive a mortal blow!'"