rovement course," says she.
"I am told it is quite becoming. And have you noticed my new waist line,
Vincent?"

Vincent hadn't; but he did then, and he had nothin' to say, for she has
an hourglass lookin' like a hitchin' post. Not bein' able to carry on the
debate under them headings, he switches and comes out strong on what an
awful thing it was for her to be livin' among such dreadful people.

"Why," says grandmother, "they're real nice, I'm sure. They have been
just as good to me as they could be. They take turns going out to dinner
with me and showing me around the town."

"Good heavens!" says Vincent. "And this--this Bear person, does he----"

"He is an educated, full blooded Sioux," says grandmother. "He has toured
Europe with Buffalo Bill, and just now he is an artists' model. He is
very entertaining company, Johnny is."

"Johnny!" gasps Vincent under his breath. That's the last straw. He lays
down the law then and there to grandmother. If she ever expects him to
recognize her again, she must shake this whole crowd and come with him.

"Where to, Vincent?" says she.

"Why, to my home, of course," says he.

"And have your wife's maid speak of me as a dumpy old scarecrow? No,
thank you!" and she calls the waiter to bring a demitasse with cognac.

"But no one could call you that now, mother," says Vincent. "You--you're
different, quite different."

"Oh, am I?" says she.

"To be sure you are," says he. "Julia and I would be glad to have you
with us. Really, we would."

She was a good natured old girl, grandmother was. She says she'll try it;
but only on one condition. It was a corker, too. If she's going to give
all her good friends at the actors' boardin' house the shake, she thinks
it ought to be done at a farewell dinner at the swellest place in town.
Vincent groans; but he has to give in. And that's how it happens the
other night that about two dozen liberty people walked up from Appetite
Row and fed themselves off Sherry's gold plates until the waiters was
weak in the knees watchin' 'em.

"Is the old lady still leadin' the band wagon, Vincent!" says I to him
yesterday.

"She is," says he, "and it is wonderful how young she has grown."

"New York is a great place for rejuvenatin' grandmothers," says I,
"specially around in the Red Ink Zone."

CHAPTER V

A LONG SHOT ON DELANCEY

Well, I've been slummin' up again. It happens like this: I was just
preparin', here the other noontime, to