pay me carriage hire," answered Mart. And his tone
satisfied McArdle, who, with reflective eye on Bertha, puffed away at
his cigar, while Mart gave his promise to call again. "I'll come over
and get you all, and take you to the theatre in me auto-car," he said,
as he rose. "But we must be going now."

Fan was beginning to perceive in him more and more of the man of power
and substance, and her manner changed. "Ye were always the smartest of
the lot of us, Mart."

"No, I was not. Charles was the bright boy."

"So he was, but he was lazy. That was why he took up with
play-acting--'tis an easy job."

"Even that is too much work for him," remarked McArdle.

"I reckon that's right," laughed Mart, as he turned towards the door.

"Come again, if ye find time," called Fan, as they went down the steps.

McArdle, with his cigar in his hand, waved it in a sign of parting. And
so their visit to the McArdles closed.

Mart turned to his silent and thoughtful wife, and said, with a great
deal of meaning in his voice: "Well, now, what do you think of that for
a fine litter of pups?"

"They seem hearty."

"They do. 'Tis on such that the future of the ray-public rests." And
then he added: "Sure, Bertie, it gripped me heart to see the mother's
old chair!"

CHAPTER XVI

A DINNER AND A PLAY

Lucius seemed to know the city very well, and to have a list of its
principal citizens in his memory. He knew the best places to shop and
the selectest places to eat, and Bertha soon came to ask his advice
about other and more intimate affairs. She showed him Mrs. Brent's card,
and explained that they were going out there to dinner.

"I know the locality," he said, much impressed, "and I think I know the
house. It's likely to be quietly swell, and you'd better wear your best
gown."

"The black dress," said Haney, who was a deeply concerned witness. "I
like that."

Lucius was respectful, but firm. "You are very well in that, Mrs. Haney.
But if I were you I'd have a new gown; you'll need it. I know just the
saleslady to fit you out."

"But I've only worn the black dress once!" she exclaimed, in dismay.

Lucius explained that people who went out much in the city made a point
of not wearing the same gown in the same circle a second time. "And as
you only have two presentable evening gowns, you certainly need
another."

Haney joined in, emphatically. "Sure thing! What's the good of money if
you don't use it to buy things?"