symphony; but, by the time I have reached my
final _Maestoso_, I shall have learned that my ideal has moved on again
beyond my reach."

"In other words, a real genius is nothing but an artistic
butter-fingers," Bobby commented irreverently. "Stop your German
philosophizing, Arlt, and help us enjoy the present by playing your
_Scherzo_. Thayer says it is by far the best thing you have ever done."

Obediently Arlt crossed to the piano. In his absorption in his symphony,
he had by no means allowed his skill as a pianist to rust for want of
use, and a little sigh of utter content went around the group, as they
heard the dainty, clashing notes answer to the touch of his fingers. He
was in the full rhythm of his _Scherzo_, playing, humming, or whistling,
according to his whim and to the demands of the orchestral score, when
Sally gave a sudden exclamation of warning.

"Behold the crowd! Here endeth the interlude! Enter Mrs. Lloyd Avalons!"

"What in thunder is that woman doing here, Sally?" Bobby demanded, as
Arlt's fingers dropped from the keys in the very midst of a phrase.

Sally shrugged her shoulders with the petulant gesture of a naughty
child.

"How in thunder should I know, Bobby? I wish you'd ask her."

"No use. She never takes a hint."

A sudden change came over the group, as Mrs. Lloyd Avalons tripped
daintily into the room. Miss Gannion straightened herself in her chair
and took refuge in her lorgnette; Arlt's artistic fire extinguished
itself, and he once more became the taciturn young German, while Sally
assumed certain of the characteristics of a frozen olive. Bobby,
however, continued to smile upon the room with unabated serenity.

"What a delight to find you here!" Mrs. Lloyd Avalons exclaimed, as she
took Sally's hand.

"Miss Van Osdel has unsuspected depths to her nature," Bobby observed
gravely. "Long as I have known her, Mrs. Avalons, I assure you I have
never succeeded in finding her out."

"Oh--yes. How like you that is, Mr. Dane! But I was including you all."

"Taking us all in?" Bobby queried.

"Taking us just as you find us," Sally added. "You also take tea, I
think, Mrs. Avalons?"

"You'd better," Bobby urged, with inadvertent pointedness. "We were just
saying that Miss Van Osdel brews wisdom mingled with her tea."

"Bobby!" Sally adjured him, in a horrified whisper; but Mrs. Lloyd
Avalons had already turned to Arlt.

"I am so glad to meet you here, Mr. Arlt. All your friends, to-