f stitches the last thread
would have bust that instant. I don't believe I dare go out with you. This
is a life and death game to Jack, and I won't risk smashing his future by
not being able to keep sober in the face of Aunt Mary."

"Oh, come on," Clover urged in his wiry voice. "You needn't look at her;
or, if you do look at her, you can look the other way right afterwards,
you know."

"I'll sit next to her," Mitchell explained. "As a sitter by Aunt Mary's
side I shone last night; and where a man has sat once, the same man can
surely sit again."

Burnett hesitated, and just then voices were heard in the hall. Jack and
Janice were convoying Aunt Mary below.

Mitchell went out into the hall.

"Well, Miss Watkins," he said, in a tone such as one would use to call
down Santos-Dumont, "I'm mighty glad to see you looking so well."

Aunt Mary turned the goggles full upon him.

"A present from Mr. Clover," she said smiling.

"I never knew him to take so much trouble for any lady before," said
Mitchell; and as she arrived just then at the foot of the staircase he
pressed her proffered hand warmly and forthwith led her in upon the two
men in the library.

She looked exactly like a living edition of one of the bug pictures, and
Clover had to think and swallow fast and hard to keep from being overcome.
But he was true blue, and came out right side up. Aunt Mary was acclaimed
on all sides, and escorted to the "bubble."

Burnett couldn't resist going, too, at the last moment; but, as his ribs
were really tender yet, he sat in front with Clover. Jack and Mitchell sat
behind, and deftly inserted the honored guest between them.

"It's an even thing as to which is the ear-trumpet side," Mitchell said,
as they all stood about preparatory to climbing in. "Of course, that side
don't need to holler quite so loud; but then, to balance, he may get his
one and only pair of front teeth knocked out any minute."

"I'll take that side," said Jack. "I'm used to fighting under the
inspiration of the trumpet."

"And God be with you," said his friend piously. "May he watch over you and
bring you out safe and whole--teeth, eyes, etc."

"Come on," said Clover impatiently; "don't you know this thing's getting
up power and you're wasting it talking."

"Curious," laughed Burnett. "I never knew that it was gasolene that men
were consuming when they kept an automobile waiting."

And then they got in and were off--a merry load, indeed.

"