fear it will be as a spook--they laugh at microbes as well as
locks. However, I promise to rap when I call."

"Thank you, that will make you a most considerate ghost."

When they were alone together Kate said, with a sigh: "What an amount
of sin and sickness and trouble and death there is in the world!"

"That's a sign we're getting on," he replied. "When we're young we
laugh at the falling leaves--they are only a sign of some new sport.
When I'm as old as you are I suppose I'll begin to observe all the
bald-heads at the theatre."

"Well, now, for our dinner-party. I must write to Mrs. Lambert
to-night."

"You'd better take second thought about this matter--'Reckless Kate.'"

"I have."

"Take a third. Consider this--the girl may go into a trance at the
table."

"Oh, if she only would! My fear is she'll be like other amateur
performers--'subject to a cold' or something. These gifted people are
so often disappointing."

"Now, see here, Kit, seriously, if you invite Miss Lambert to our
house it must be as any other charming guest--"

"You didn't suppose I was _really_ going to ask her to spookle?" she
indignantly answered; then added, with a smile: "Of course, if she
_insists_ on reading my palm--or--any little thing like that, it
wouldn't be nice to refuse, would it?"

"I knew it! You have designs upon her. Don't do it. It would be too
gross after your protest against others for using her. She herself
complained bitterly of just this treatment. You must not even speak of
her powers."

She lifted her hand solemnly. "_I swear!_"

"I mistrust you even when you swear," he ended, doubtfully. "There's a
tell-tale gleam in your eyes."

And at this moment of banter they both lost their sense of the girl's
imminent peril and thought of her only as a most entertaining
possibility as a guest.

XII

VIOLA IN DINNER-DRESS

Viola glowed with joy over Kate's invitation to dinner, and, flying to
the telephone (as she was requested to do), accepted without
consulting either her mother or Clarke, and fell immediately into
wonder whether she possessed a gown becoming enough to fit the golden
opportunity.

Mrs. Lambert was also pleased, but at once said, "I hope Tony will
feel like going."

Viola resented the implied doubt of their own acceptance. "I am going,
anyhow. I will not be shut up here any longer like a convict. I like
Mrs. Rice very much, and I want to see her house. I know it will be
just as ni