en?"

"That's what I meant when I said all right."

"And you didn't mean that you'd simply look over the fence and then
come away?"

"No, I mean that I'll go and be a fool with the rest of them."

"That's all I ask. Here's an invitation. You'll have to show it at the
gate."

"Why don't you go, Warren?"

"It would be absurd."

"Why? Your clothes might be worse."

"There are a good many observations that don't apply to clothes. The
entertainment is to be given by the Hon. Mr. S. Boyd. One time, with
great reluctance, he lifted a grinding heel off my head. I owe him
five dollars."

"And it would be embarrassing to meet him, by invitation, on his own
lawn."

"Yes. I'll pay him one of these days, but of course he doesn't know
that."

"Probably he doesn't even suspect it," said Lyman.

"No. He's dull, and not inclined to be speculative."

"I should take him to be wildly adventurous."

"Why so?"

"He let you have five dollars."

"Oh, I see. But that's all right. He'll treat you well. Say, he may
pass cigars with a gilt band around them. Put a few in your pocket for
me."

"I might have a chance to sneak a whole box."

"Come, don't rub the lamp. Rub the ring and get two cigars. I'll sit
up and wait for them. If Boyd asks you why I have been dodging him,
tell him I'm not well."

The lawn was a spread of blue grass, beneath trees with low, hanging
boughs, and through the misty light and moving shadows the house
looked like a castle. The air was vibrant with the music of the
"string" band, gathered from the livery stable and the barber shop;
and mingled with the music as if it were a part of the sound, was the
half sad scent of the crushed geranium. At the gate a black man, in a
long coat buttoned to the ground, took Lyman's card of invitation.
From groups of white came the laugh of youth, and from darker
gatherings came the hum of talk. Lyman shook hands with nearly every
one whom he met, laughing; and his good humor was an introduction to
persons he had never seen before. He felt that he was a part of a
joke which everyone was enjoying. The Hon. S. Boyd came forward and
shook hands with him.

"I am delighted to welcome you to my grounds," said the great man,
speaking as if he had invited Lyman to hunt in a forest of a thousand
acres. "And your partner, will he be here?"

"No, he's not very well this evening," Lyman answered, walking slowly,
arm-hooked with the great man.

"I am sorry to hear it. A