voice of Ikey Einstein, devoid of its accent by some queer miracle of
song. It dipped and soared with the melody, as sure and strong and
true as a bugle.

"Well!" It was Mrs. Milo who spoke first--Mrs. Milo, who could put so
much meaning into a single word. Now she expressed disapproval and
amazement; more: that one exclamatory syllable, as successfully as if
it had been an extended utterance, not only hinted, but openly avowed
her belief in the moral turpitude of the young woman who had just
reeled so blindly through the door.

"Wallace!" Sue went to her brother.

"Now, what's the row!" demanded Balcome, irritably, looking around for
his hat, which Hattie had taken from him in order to make him more
presentable for the rehearsal.

"I suppose _I've_ done something," ventured Mrs. Balcome, plaintively.

Mrs. Milo hastened to the door leading to the lawn, spied the
choirmaster, waved a wigwag at him with her handkerchief, and shut the
door. The singing stopped.

She came fluttering back. Always, when something unforeseen and
unpleasant happened, it was Mrs. Milo's habit to accept the occurrence
as aimed purposely at her and her happiness. So now her attitude was
one of patient forbearance. "I told you, Hattie," she reminded; "--bad
luck if Wallace saw you in your wedding-dress today."

Wallace had slipped to a seat on the sofa, leaning his head on a hand,
and shaking like a man with a chill. Now, at mention of Hattie's name,
he sprang up, went to her, getting between her and his mother, and
putting an arm about the girl as if to protect her. "It has nothing to
do with Hattie," he declared, his eyes blazing. "Nothing, I tell you!
And you're trying to make trouble!"

"If you please," interrupted Sue, quietly, "you're speaking to your
mother."

But Mrs. Milo was amply able to take care of herself--by the usual
method of putting any opponent instantly on the defensive. "So it has
nothing to do with Hattie?" she returned. "Well, perhaps it has
something to do with _you_."

Wallace's tall figure stiffened, as if from an electric shock. His
lips drew back from his clenched teeth in something that was like a
grin.

Hattie took a long step, freeing herself from his arm.

"Or perhaps"--Mrs. Milo's glance had traveled to Sue--"perhaps it has
something to do with Mr. Farvel."

"I won't discuss Alan behind his back," retorted Wallace, hotly.

"A-a-a-ah!"--this with a gratified nod. She felt that she ha