rather go into the poorhouse tomorrow than 'keep the
property together' in the selfish way you mean!"

That was all but Charlie saw that he had gone too far and hastened to
make his peace with the skill of a lover, for, turning to the little
cabinet piano behind him, he sang in his best style the sweet old song:

"Oh were thou in the cauld blast,"

dwelling with great effect, not only upon the tender assurance that "My
plaid should shelter thee,"

but also that, even if a king,

"The brightest jewel in my crown
Wad be my queen, wad be my queen."

It was very evident that Prince Charming had not gone troubadouring
in vain, for Orpheus himself could not have restored harmony more
successfully. The tuneful apology was accepted with a forgiving smile
and a frank "I'm sorry I was cross, but you haven't forgotten how to
tease, and I'm rather out of sorts today. Late hours don't agree with
me."

"Then you won't feel like going to Mrs. Hope's tomorrow, I'm afraid,"
and Charlie took up the last note with an expression of regret which was
very flattering.

"I must go, because it is made for me, but I can come away early and
make up lost sleep. I do hate to be so fractious," and Rose rubbed the
forehead that ached with too much racketing.

"But the German does not begin till late I'm to lead and depend upon
you. Just stay this once to oblige me," pleaded Charlie, for he had set
his heart on distinguishing himself.

"No I promised Uncle to be temperate in my pleasures and I must keep my
word. I'm so well now, it would be very foolish to get ill and make him
anxious not to mention losing my beauty, as you are good enough to call
it, for that depends on health, you know."

"But the fun doesn't begin till after supper. Everything will be
delightful, I assure you, and we'll have a gay old time as we did last
week at Emma's."

"Then I certainly will not, for I'm ashamed of myself when I remember
what a romp that was and how sober Uncle looked as he let me in at three
in the morning, all fagged out my dress in rags, my head aching, my feet
so tired that I could hardly stand, and nothing to show for five
hours' hard work but a pocketful of bonbons, artificial flowers, and
tissue-paper fool's caps. Uncle said I'd better put one on and go to
bed, for I looked as though I'd been to a French bal masque. I never
want to hear him say so again, and I'll never let dawn catch me out in
such a plight anymore."

"You we