ouse
like that in a place like this. Neighbors are kicking, but it wasn't my
fault."

Phil said she supposed that was so.

She was still noting various small items of Holton's raiment--his tan
oxford shoes, brilliant socks, and brown derby. A brown derby seemed odd
in Montgomery. From the pocket of his sackcoat protruded the cuffs of
tan gloves, and he wore an inconspicuous watch chain passed from pocket
to pocket of his waistcoat. Not even the most prosperous of the college
seniors had ever presented to Phil's eye a variety of adornments so
tastefully chosen, a color scheme so effective. The interview seemed to
be to the young man's liking. He talked with assurance, holding his
light stick with one hand, and balancing his hat on his knee with the
other. Often before men had come into the office as Phil sat there and
she had conversed with them while they waited for her father. She had
usually exhausted the possibilities in forecasting her father's return
at such times; but this gentleman seemed in no wise impatient. He spoke
of the world's affairs lightly and with a flattering confidence in the
understanding and sympathy of his auditor. The theatrical attractions at
the capital, the promise of grand opera in Chicago, the political
changes, these were things of passing interest, but nothing to grow
feverish about.

"The new trolley line will make a lot of difference to towns like
Montgomery--revolutionize things in fact. Part of the great social
change that is apparent all over the Middle West. There won't be any
country folks any more; all hitched on to the cities--the rubes
derubenized and inter-urbanized!"

Phil admitted that the changes he suggested were of significance. Her
father often used similar phrases in speaking of tendencies and
influences; but it was to be expected of him. The same ideas as
expressed by Charles Holton derived a certain importance from the fact
that he condescended to utter them; they gained weight and authority
from his manner of presenting them. He was not only a man of the world,
but an acute observer of social phenomena; and he was a new sort. She
had not known any one like him. The memory of her two meetings with Fred
came back to her: she recalled them the more clearly by reason of the
contrast between the brothers.

"Your brother has moved back to the farm," she suggested to gain
confirmation of a relationship which seemed hardly plausible with this
radiant young person before