rave over it, but before long Peter saw the joke and entered
into it. It was wonderful how good some of the things that she touched
tasted later.

Then they went into Peter's sleeping-room, Leonore said it was very
ordinary, but promptly found two things to interest her.

"Do you take care of your window flowers?"

"No, Mrs. Costell comes down to lunch with me once a week, and potters
with them. She keeps all the windows full of flowers--perhaps you have
noticed them in the other rooms, as well?"

"Yes. I liked them, but I didn't think they could be yours. They grow
too well for a man."

"It seems as if Mrs. Costell had only to look at a plant, and it breaks
out blossoming," Peter replied.

"What a nice speech," said Leonore.

"It's on a nice subject," Peter told her. "When you have that, it's very
easy to make a nice speech."

"I want to meet Mrs. Costell. I've heard all about her."

The second point of interest concerned the contents of what had
evidently been planned as an umbrella-stand.

"Why do you have three swords?" she asked, taking the handsomest from
its resting place.

"So that I can kill more people."

"Why, Dot, you ought to know that an officer wants a service sword and a
dress-sword."

"But these are all dress-swords. I'm afraid you are very proud of your
majorship."

Peter only smiled a reply down at her.

"Yes," said Leonore, "I have found out your weakness at last. You like
gold lace and fixings."

Still Peter only smiled.

"This sword is presented to Captain Peter Stirling in recognition of his
gallant conduct at Hornellsville, July 25, 1877," Leonore read on the
scabbard. "What did you do at Hornellsville?"

"Various things."

"But what did you do to get the sword?"

"My duty!"

"Tell me?"

"I thought you knew all about me."

"I don't know this."

Peter only smiled at her.

"Tell me. If you don't, somebody else will. Please."

"Why, Dot, these are all presentation swords."

"Yes," said Peter; "and so gorgeous that I don't dare use them. I keep
the swords I wear at the armory."

"Are you going to tell me what you did to get them?"

"That one was given me by my company when I was made captain. That was
subscribed for by some friends. The one you have was given me by a
railroad."

"For what?"

"For doing my duty."

"Come, papa. We'll go home."

Peter surrendered. "There were some substitutes for strikers in freight
cars that were fitted up with bunks. The