of just such a privilege as this we have here to-night, the close
association with people whom we love, and with whom we sympathize in all
that matters most. Matthew Kendrick was a devoted husband and father. In
spite of his grandson's presence, of late, he must sorely long for
companionship."

"His grandson's going to give him more of that than he has," declared
Aunt Ruth, smiling over her knitting as if recalling a pleasant memory.
"He and I had quite a bit of talk while I was there, and he's beginning
to realize that he owes his grandfather more than he's given him. I had
a good chance to see what was in that boy's heart, and I know there's
plenty of warmth there. And there's real character in him, too. I've had
enough sons of my own to know the signs, and the fact that they were
poor in this world's goods, and he is rich--too rich--doesn't make a
mite of difference in the signs!"

Mrs. Robert Gray, who had been listening with an intent expression in
eyes whose beauty was not more appealing than their power of observation
was keen, now spoke, and all turned to her. She was a woman whose
opinion on any subject of common interest was always waited for and
attended upon. Her voice was rich and low--her family did not fully know
how dear to their ears was the sound of that voice.

"Young Mr. Kendrick," said she, "couldn't wish, Ruth, for a more
powerful advocate than you. To have you approve him, after seeing him
under more intimate circumstances than we are likely to do, must commend
him to our good will. To tell the frank truth, I have been rather afraid
to admit him to my good graces, lest there be really no great force of
character, or even promise of it, behind that handsome face and winning
manner. But if you see the signs--as you say--we must look more
hopefully upon him."

"She's not the only one who sees signs," asserted Judge Gray. "He's
coming on--he's coming on well, in his work with me. He's learning
really to work. I admit he didn't know how when he came to me. Something
has waked him up. I'm inclined to think," he went on, with a mischievous
glance toward the end of the room where sat the noiseless musicians, "it
might have been my niece Roberta's shining example of industry when she
spent a day with us in my library, typing work for me back in October.
Never was such a sight to serve as an inspiration for a laggardly young
man!"

There was a general laugh, and all eyes were turned toward that end of