t answer. Serena, to her husband's surprise, appeared
vexed.

"But she did though, by Jove!" exclaimed Cousin Percy. "She did, and I'm
told it created a great sensation. Miss Canby told me about it as I
was waiting for you to come out, Gertrude. She said you gave them a
brand-new idea. Congratulations, Gertrude. Wish I might have heard it.
Something about the privileges of the Chapter being extended to the hoi
polloi, wasn't it?"

The new member of Scarford Chapter looked more annoyed than ever.

"I spoke of the Chapter's advantages being extended," she said, "that's
all."

"And enough, too," cried her mother, impatiently. "Quite enough, I
should think. If I had known you were going to do that, I should have
stayed at home. It was that foolish Azuba who put the notion in your
head. You'll be proposing her name next, I suppose. The idea!"

Daniel burst into a roar of laughter.

"What do you think of that, John?" he cried. "Zuby Jane makin' speeches!
There's advancement for you, ain't it?"

John smiled, but rather faintly. He had scarcely taken his eyes from
Cousin Percy's aristocratic presence. The latter gentleman turned to
him.

"Well--er--Mr.--Mr. Doane," he observed carelessly, "how do you like
Scarford, as far as you've seen it?"

John replied that he had seen very little of it.

"You will find it a bit different from--er--what is it? Oh, yes, Trumet.
You'll find it a bit different from Trumet, I imagine."

"No doubt. I can see that already."

"But John doesn't come from Trumet," explained Serena; "that is, not
now. He is in business in Boston."

Cousin Percy seemed surprised. He favored the visitor with another look.
"Indeed!" he drawled. He did not add "He doesn't look it," in words, but
his manner expressed just that.

Daniel caught his wife's eye. "Well, Serena," he observed, with a
meaning wink, "I guess likely you're tired, ain't you? Time to go aloft
and turn in, I should say."

Serena nodded. "Yes," she answered. "Gertrude, you and John will excuse
us, won't you? John, Captain Dott and I will see you in the morning.
Good-night! Good-night, Cousin Percy."

"Good-night!" said Mr. Hungerford.

"You'll excuse us, John, I'm sure," went on Serena. "Of course you and
Gertie will want to talk, and," with a slight pause and a glance at
Percy, "we will only be in the way. Come, Daniel."

Captain Dan paused in the doorway. "Ain't you tired, too, Cousin Percy?"
he inquired.

It was a fairly bro