. To the neighbors I'll say it was 'so delightful'
and 'extremely artistic,' but if it's on the level I'll say it was
punk."

"What?" cried Virginia.

"Punk?" echoed his wife, puzzled.

"Yes! Fancy paying five a throw to hear a sawed-off Italian let go a
few top notes, when you can have the same seat in a vaudeville theatre
and get Eva Tanguay and a whole bunch of good acts for a dollar! Five
a throw to hear a dago yodel something I don't even understand--not
for my money!"

"James!" cried Fanny in despair.

But, once started, Jimmie was not to be curbed. With a grin he went
on:

"And the leading lady--a human joke if ever there was one. There they
were all telling about this beautiful maiden of eighteen summers, and
when she came on--a beautiful maiden? A milk wagon, believe me, a milk
wagon!"

Fanny turned to her sister. Apologetically she said:

"You see, dear, James only cares for violin music."

"I don't even care for that," he growled.

"Then why did you take me last week to see that famous violinist?" she
demanded.

"A mistake, my dear. I didn't know he was a violinist. You see, he was
flourishing his bow and I thought he was a juggler!"

"You're incorrigible!" laughed Virginia.

"Musical comedy and vaudeville for mine," he exclaimed. "I've joined
the ranks of the 'tired business men,' like your husband."

Virginia shook her head. "You're wrong there," she said. "Robert is
very fond of opera."

"Which accounts for his not going to hear it, I suppose."

"No, that was not it," she replied quickly. "He had to see some of his
associates on a very important business matter."

"That's what I'll be saying soon!" grinned her brother-in-law. "I'm
already getting a hundred a week. I guess that's not bad for a fellow
who two years ago was only getting fourteen!"

"It's just splendid!" exclaimed Fanny.

"And the best thing about it is that I did it all myself!" said
Jimmie.

"All?" echoed Virginia.

"Yes, every bit," he answered impudently.

"Didn't Robert help any?"

"Oh, of course, he gave me the chance, but how long do you think I'd
have lasted if I hadn't made good?"

His sister-in-law smiled good-naturedly. Quickly she asked:

"What salary were you getting when Robert gave you your chance?"

"That's got nothing to do with it," he retorted.

"You were getting fourteen dollars a week and he started you at fifty.
That was some help, wasn't it?"

"Oh, well! what of it?"

"Nothing," s