nversation started slowly. "The
weather has turned so fine of late that we can commence playing
tennis," remarked Frau Colonel von Kronau.

"Certainly," chimed in her husband, masticating vigorously. "I shall
call a meeting of the club next week, and then nothing will stand in
the way."

"Charming!" enthusiastically fluted Frau Stark. "I love it
passionately, and you, of course, will all join in? You, my dear Frau
Kahle, were one of the most zealous members last season. And how is it
with you, Frau Koenig?"

"I'll have to forego the pleasure," she replied, "for it does not
agree with me."

"And your husband?"

"I don't know how to play," the captain said; "but I like to watch
graceful ladies at it."

Frau Stark bit her lips and shot an angry glance at the captain. "What
did he mean by 'graceful ladies,' anyway?" she thought. That was meant
for her, no doubt. And she remembered unpleasant comment made because
she with her fifty years had started riding a patient old mare
belonging to her husband's squadron. One of the sergeants was giving
her lessons.

"Some civilians, I believe, will join," broke in the colonel. "I will
have a list circulating."

Everybody knew this was buncombe, the colonel being extremely
unpopular in civilian circles, and they smiled incredulously.

"I will join you," said Herr von Konradi, "provided the heat is not
excessive. Next week, however, I have no leisure. I must sow my peas,
or it will be too late."

"Yes," put in Koenig, "or they will not thrive."

"What? Not thrive? Peas will always turn out well if properly
attended to," said the colonel's wife, with a touch of asperity.

"I fear I must contradict you, my gracious lady," retorted the
captain. "Last year's did not turn out well anywhere."

"They must be sowed at moonlight, and not a word be spoken, then they
will do finely, every time," said the Frau Colonel, eagerly. "But
don't imagine that I am superstitious. I am simply stating a fact."

It was a bold thing to do, for whatever the colonel's wife said must
not be gainsaid, yet Lieutenant Bleibtreu could not help it. He
laughingly said: "Sowing, therefore, bacon in between while the sun is
shining, we'll have one of my favorite dishes ready made."

The colonel's lady merely transfixed him with an envenomed stare.
After a dramatic interval she resumed: "But, come to think of it, I
myself won't have leisure next week. My goose-liver _pates_ are not
yet finished."

"Y