or a prize?"

"Oh we settled that a while ago," Mrs. Porter exclaimed. "I showed you
the difference between the two, didn't I?"

"I believe you did. But don't you want to go to the Tad-Wallington
dance?"

"No." Mrs. Porter said shortly.

"Did you send cards?"

"No."

"You should have done so, shouldn't you?"

"I suppose so, but I don't care."

"Why don't you want to go?"

"I don't like Mrs. Tad-Wallington. She wears her dresses too low."

"Maybe she does, but I think we should be polite to her."

"I don't care very much whether we are or not."

"_I_ think we ought to go. Or else," he added in an afterthought with
the expression of a martyr, "or else _I_ ought to go and take your
regrets."

"Well, why don't you do that?" Mrs. Porter exclaimed brightly.

"All right, I will!" he almost shouted. "I'll _do_ it. I think it's the
decent thing to do. I'll get ready right away."

"Right now? Why, it's entirely too early. It's only half-past seven. You
can stay here until ten, then go for a few minutes and be back by
eleven."

"No, no, that would not be nice. That's not the way to treat people who
have gone to the expense of giving a dance. Everybody should go early
and stay late."

"Oh, absurd."

"No, it's decent. I think I had better go early anyway, and then I can
get back earlier. I don't want to stay up too late."

"Well, if you insist, go on."

Tom went upstairs and began dressing hurriedly. He knew he would not
feel safe until he was a square away from the house. If this was to be
the last of these bully, bachelor, poker parties he did not want to miss
it. His wife was the sweetest little woman on earth, and he delighted in
being with her, and humoring her, but then a woman's view of life and
things is often so different that there is a joyous relaxation in a man
party. If he could dress and get away before his wife changed her mind
all would be well. He put his clothes on feverishly, but before he had
half finished he heard her running up the stairs, and his heart sank.
She came with the step that indicated something important on her mind.
He knew as well how she looked as if he could see her coming. She was
humped over slightly, her head was down, both hands grasping her skirts
in front, and her feet fairly glimmering at the speed she was coming.

She burst into the room. "Tom, I think I will go with you. It is mean of
me to make you go alone."

"You think what? You can't, it's a men's party