but a very homesick little German," Thayer
answered, while his eyes rested thoughtfully on her face. It brightened
now, as she spoke of Lorimer, and a half-tender, half-amused smile was
playing around her lips. All in all, Thayer was broad enough to like it
better so.

Suddenly she rose, as if to end their conversation; but she turned back
again to add,--

"Of all my wedding gifts, Mr. Thayer, the sweetest was the blessing of
good old Frau Arlt. She will never forget Mr. Lorimer, and her story of
his kindness in their darkest days, her good wishes to me, and her
happiness in seeing us will always stand out as an unforgettable
picture. You knew all about it, of course; but I had no idea how good to
them Sidney had been, nor how full of tact."

The smile still lingered about her lips, and her cheeks were flushed a
little, as she turned away in answer to her husband's call. For long
months to come, it was so that Thayer liked best to think of her.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Beatrix raised her eyes from her letters. "Mother wants us to come to
dinner, to-night, Sidney."

"But you are scheduled for something else; aren't you?" he answered,
without looking up from his paper.

"For nothing that I can't break. There are some teas and the theatre. I
had thought I might have to hurry our dinner, to get through in time.
What if we give up the theatre? The Andersons won't mind, if we
telephone them so early."

"Just as well," he responded indifferently, as he turned his paper
inside out and ran his eye down the columns.

"Then shall I telephone mother that we will be there?"

"You can go, Beatrix. I sha'n't be able to be there."

"Why not, Sidney?"

"Because Dudley is giving a dinner at the club, to-night, and I am
booked for that."

"Oh, Sidney!" She checked herself abruptly.

Lowering his paper, he looked at her in surprise.

"What is it, dear?" he asked.

"Nothing, only--I wouldn't go."

"But I can't get out of it. Dudley made a point of my being there, and I
told him to count on me."

"I am sorry," she said quietly. "I don't like Mr. Dudley."

"Neither do I especially. Still, I saw a good deal of him at one time,
and, to-night, he wants to get together the old set. It's sort of a
farewell spread, for he starts for Nome, next week."

"But you had promised the Andersons."

"Yes, I told Anderson that I would get around in time to mingle my tears
with yours over the fifth act. Anderson is such a bore that