e at first.

"I called him down with everybody else," cried Maria Macapa, "as soon
as I saw in the paper that Miss Sieppe had won. We all came down to Mr.
Schouler's room and waited for you to come home. I think he must have
gone back to his room. I'll bet you'll find him sewing up his books."

"No, no," observed Miss Baker, "not at this hour."

Evidently the timid old gentleman had taken advantage of the confusion
to slip unobtrusively away.

"I'll go bring him down," shouted Marcus; "he's got to join us."

Miss Baker was in great agitation.

"I--I hardly think you'd better," she murmured; "he--he--I don't think
he drinks beer."

"He takes his amusement in sewin' up books," cried Maria.

Marcus brought him down, nevertheless, having found him just preparing
for bed.

"I--I must apologize," stammered Old Grannis, as he stood in the
doorway. "I had not quite expected--I--find--find myself a little
unprepared." He was without collar and cravat, owing to Marcus
Schouler's precipitate haste. He was annoyed beyond words that Miss
Baker saw him thus. Could anything be more embarrassing?

Old Grannis was introduced to Mrs. Sieppe and to Trina as Marcus's
employer. They shook hands solemnly.

"I don't believe that he an' Miss Baker have ever been introduced,"
cried Maria Macapa, shrilly, "an' they've been livin' side by side for
years."

The two old people were speechless, avoiding each other's gaze. It had
come at last; they were to know each other, to talk together, to touch
each other's hands.

Marcus brought Old Grannis around the table to little Miss Baker,
dragging him by the coat sleeve, exclaiming: "Well, I thought you two
people knew each other long ago. Miss Baker, this is Mr. Grannis; Mr.
Grannis, this is Miss Baker." Neither spoke. Like two little children
they faced each other, awkward, constrained, tongue-tied with
embarrassment. Then Miss Baker put out her hand shyly. Old Grannis
touched it for an instant and let it fall.

"Now you know each other," cried Marcus, "and it's about time." For the
first time their eyes met; Old Grannis trembled a little, putting his
hand uncertainly to his chin. Miss Baker flushed ever so slightly, but
Maria Macapa passed suddenly between them, carrying a half empty beer
bottle. The two old people fell back from one another, Miss Baker
resuming her seat.

"Here's a place for you over here, Mr. Grannis," cried Marcus,
making room for him at his side. Old Grannis sl