r the other," stated Gerald. "I am possessed of a
sufficient income from a legacy to make business unnecessary."

"I don't believe I'd care to--be idle," said Orde vaguely.

"There is plenty to occupy one's time," replied Gerald. "I have my
clubs, my gymnasium, my horse, and my friends."

"Isn't there anything that particularly attracts you?" asked Orde.

The young man's languid eyes grew thoughtful, and he puffed more
strongly on his cigarette.

"I should like," said he slowly, at last, "to enter the navy."

"Why don't you?" asked Orde bluntly.

"Certain family reasons make it inexpedient at present," said Gerald.
"My mother is in a very nervous state; she depends on us, and any hint
of our leaving her is sufficient to render her condition serious."

By this time the two young men were well uptown. On Gerald's initiative,
they turned down a side street, and shortly came to a stop.

"That is my gymnasium," said Gerald, pointing to a building across the
way. "Won't you come in with me? I am due now for my practice."

XVII

Orde's evening was a disappointment to him. Mrs. Bishop had, by
Carroll's report, worked feverishly at the altar cloth all the
afternoon. As a consequence, she had gone to bed with a bad headache.
This state of affairs seemed to throw the entire family into a state
of indecision. It was divided in mind as to what to do, the absolute
inutility of any effort balancing strongly against a sense of what the
invalid expected.

"I wonder if mother wouldn't like just a taste of this beef," speculated
the general, moving fussily in his chair. "I believe somebody ought to
take some up. She MIGHT want it."

The man departed with the plate, but returned a few moments later,
impassive--but still with the plate.

"Has she got her hot-water bag?" asked the boy unexpectedly.

"Yes, Master Kendrick," replied the butler.

After a preoccupied silence the general again broke out:

"Seems to me somebody ought to be up there with her."

"You know, father, that she can't stand any one in the room," said
Carroll equably.

Toward the close of the meal, however, a distant bell tinkled faintly.
Every one jumped as though guilty. Carroll said a hasty excuse and ran
out. After ringing the bell, the invalid had evidently anticipated its
answer by emerging from her room to the head of the stairs, for Orde
caught the sharp tones of complaint, and overheard something about "take
all night to eat a simple