k glance at the quartette
in the drawing-room, he pulled forward a chair and, without waiting for
an invitation, seated himself.

"How goes it?" inquired Monty.

"All right enough. Oh--er--Gertrude, I've found out about that recital
affair. It is next Wednesday afternoon. I have arranged for us to go.
Rather difficult business to manage, at such a late date, but I managed
to pull it off."

Gertrude smilingly declared that she was much obliged. "I don't know, of
course," she added, "what Mother's plans for that day may be, but if she
is not busy I'm sure we shall be pleased to go. Thank you for thinking
of us."

Mr. Hungerford hesitated. "Well," he said, "to tell you the truth, I
had supposed that Mrs. Dott might be rather busy. It is your committee
meeting afternoon, isn't it, Mrs. Dott? and so I arranged for only two.
Awfully stupid of me, I know."

"Oh, that will be all right. You and Mother can go, then. I don't mind
at all. Really, I don't. And Mother is so fond of music. It is all
right, Mother," turning to Serena, who had been about to speak, "you can
go just as well as not. You must. Never mind the committee meeting; I'll
act as your substitute there."

Cousin Percy was not overcome with joy; at least, he managed to restrain
his ecstasy. Mr. Holway volunteered a word.

"Is it the Wainwright Recital you are talking about?" he inquired,
eagerly. "That's all right. I can get cards for that. It's a cinch.
I'll see that you go, Miss Dott. By George! I'll--I'll go myself. Yes, I
will, really. We'll all go."

This prompt suggestion should have cleared the air. Somehow it did not.
Mr. Hungerford merely grunted. Gertrude shook her head.

"No," she said, "I think, perhaps, I had better not go, after all. But
it is ever so nice of you to offer, Mr. Holway. You and Cousin Percy can
take Father and Mother. That will be splendid."

"Don't bother about me," put in Daniel, hastily. Recitals were almost as
distasteful as Chapter meetings or "At Homes" to his mind.

"It won't be any bother, I'm sure," declared Gertrude. "Will it, Cousin
Percy? Will it, Mr. Holway?"

Both the young gentlemen murmured their pleasure at the prospect of
acting as escorts to the elder members of the Dott family. Serena said
she would "see about it," she couldn't say for certain whether or not
she would be able to attend the recital. Captain Dan said nothing.

The conversation dragged somewhat after this. "Monty" and Mr. Hungerford
addr