what is your occupation, pray?"

"Making other people rich," responded Brewster, soberly.

"Well, aren't you satisfied with what you have done for me? If you are
as charitable as that you must be still pretty sick. Be careful, and
you may be on your feet again in five or six weeks."

Harrison came in as Lotless left. Peggy smiled at him from the window.
She had been reading aloud from a novel so garrulous that it fairly
cried aloud for interruptions.

"Now, Nopper, what became of the ball I was going to give?" demanded
Monty, a troubled look in his eyes.

"Why, we called it off," said "Nopper," in surprise.

"Don't you remember, Monty?" asked Peggy, looking up quickly, and
wondering if his mind had gone trailing off.

"I know we didn't give it, of course; but what date did you hit upon?"

"We didn't postpone it at all," said "Nopper." "How could we? We didn't
know whether--I mean it wouldn't have been quite right to do that sort
of thing."

"I understand. Well, what has become of the orchestra, and the flowers,
and all that?"

"The orchestra is gallivanting around the country, quarreling with
itself and everybody else, and driving poor Gardner to the insane
asylum. The flowers have lost their bloom long ago."

"Well, we'll get together, Nopper, and try to have the ball at
mid-Lent. I think I'll be well by that time."

Peggy looked appealingly at Harrison for guidance, but to him silence
seemed the better part of valor, and he went off wondering if the
illness had completely carried away Monty's reason.

CHAPTER XVI

IN THE SUNNY SOUTH

It was the cottage of a New York millionaire which had fallen to
Brewster. The owner had, for the time, preferred Italy to St.
Augustine, and left his estate, which was well located and lavishly
equipped, in the hands of his friends. Brewster's lease covered three
months, at a fabulous rate per month. With Joe Bragdon installed as
manager-in-chief, his establishment was transferred bodily from New
York, and the rooms were soon as comfortable as their grandeur would
permit. Brewster was not allowed to take advantage of his horses and
the new automobile which preceded him from New York, but to his guests
they offered unlimited opportunities. "Nopper" Harrison had remained in
the north to renew arrangements for the now hated ball and to look
after the advance details of the yacht cruise. Dr. Lotless and his
sister, with "Subway" Smith and the Grays, made up Brewste