le nowadays, except when Miss Dott and her mother went;
then he was always ready to go.

Annette declared that the Canby "At Home" was certain to be a most
unusual affair. "So--er--well, so different," she explained. "Miss Canby
is a very unusual woman, a unique woman, and her affairs are always
as unique as she is. So truly Bohemian. I adore Bohemians, don't you,
Gertrude?"

Gertrude said she did. "I don't know that I've met a great many," she
added, "but I'm sure they must be very enjoyable."

"Oh, they are! And Miss Canby is one. The very first time I attended a
gathering at her home I said to myself: 'THIS is true Bohemianism.'"

Captain Dan was astonished.

"Why!" he exclaimed, "Miss Canby's folks came from Down-East
somewheres--Bangor, Maine, I think 'twas. She told me so, herself."

The remark was received in various ways, by various individuals. Serena
frowned; Gertrude bit her lip; B. Phelps Black burst into a roar of
laughter.

"I did not mean my statement literally, Captain Dott," explained Annette
in gracious toleration. "But when people are independent and free from
the usual conventionalities, as Miss Canby is, we speak of them as
Bohemians. It is an--er--a term among artists and musicians, I believe."

Daniel understood little or nothing of this. He understood perfectly
well, however, that he had blundered somehow, a glance at his wife's
face told him that. Gertrude smiled at him kindly and observed: "Father
is like myself, his acquaintance in Bohemia has been limited."

Captain Dan muttered that he guessed likely that was so, adding that
he had an Armenian steward once who was a pretty good fellow. Then he
subsided. Serena took up the conversation, changing the subject to the
ever fruitful one of her beloved Chapter. In a moment the two ladies
were deep in a discussion concerning the election of National officers
for the Legion, an election which was to take place in Boston a few
months later. Gertrude joined in the discussion, a proceeding which her
father noticed with apprehension.

Mr. Black accepted an invitation to smoke, and he and Captain Dan went
into the library. After the cigars were lighted, B. Phelps, lowering his
voice so as not to be heard in the adjoining room, said suddenly:

"Dan, is that daughter of yours going off her head like the rest of the
females?"

Daniel was indignant.

"Off her head!" he repeated. "Gertie! She's as smart and sensible a
girl as ever lived. I say