never fades. It is all I can take with me when I go. My material
possessions must stay behind, but my Necklace of Perfect Joy will bring
me happiness to the end, when I put it on, to be nevermore unclasped."

"Aunt Peace," asked Margaret, after an understanding silence, "why did
you never marry?"

Miss Field leaned forward and methodically stirred the fire. "I may be
wrong," she said, "but I have always felt that it was indelicate to
allow one's self to care for a gentleman."

IV

Social Position

On Wednesday, the dullest person might have felt that there was
something in the air. The old house, already exquisitely clean, received
further polishing without protest. Savoury odours came from the kitchen,
and Iris rubbed the tall silver candlesticks until they shone like new.

"What is it?" asked Lynn. "Are we going to have a party and am I
invited?"

"It is Wednesday," explained Iris.

"Well, what of it?"

"Doctor Brinkerhoff comes to see Aunt Peace every Wednesday evening."

"Who is Doctor Brinkerhoff?"

"The family physician of East Lancaster."

"He wasn't here last Wednesday."

"That was because you and your mother had just come. Aunt Peace sent him
a note, saying that her attention was for the moment occupied by other
guests from out of town. It was the first Wednesday evening he has
missed for more than ten years."

"Oh," said Lynn. "Are they going to be married?"

"Aunt Peace wouldn't marry anybody. She receives Doctor Brinkerhoff
because she is sorry for him.

"He has no social position," Iris continued, feeling the unspoken
question. "He is not of our class and he used to live in West Lancaster,
but Aunt Peace says that any gentleman who is received by a lady in her
bedroom may also be received in her parlour. Another lady, who thinks as
Aunt Peace does, entertains him on Saturday evenings."

Iris sat there demurely, her rosy lips primly pursed, and vigorously
rubbed the tall candlestick. Lynn fairly choked with laughter. "Oh," he
cried, "you funny little thing!"

"I am not a little thing and I am not funny. I consider you very
impertinent."

"What is 'social position'?" asked Irving, instantly sobering. "How do
we get it?"

"It is born with us," answered Iris, dipping her flannel cloth in
ammonia, "and we have to live up to it. If we have low tastes, we lose
it, and it never comes back."

"Wonder if I have it," mused Lynn.

"Of course," Iris assured him. "You are a grand-nep