h's
quiet, and it was comforting to be assured that she was not looking like
a "limp water-lily" to-night.

"When are we to hear the orchestra?" cried Doctor Forester, after an
hour of lively talk, a game or two, and some remarkable puzzles
contributed by Just. The distinguished gentleman from the city was
enjoying himself immensely, for he was accustomed to social functions of
a far more elaborate and formal sort, and liked nothing better than to
join in a frolic with the younger people when such rare opportunities
presented.

"Of course we're horribly out of practice and all that," explained
Lanse, distributing scores, and helping to prop up Celia so that she
might try to play, "but since you insist we'll give you all you'll want
in a very few minutes. Here's your flute, Uncle Ray. If you'll play
along with Celia it will help out."

It was not so bad, after all. Lanse had chosen the most familiar of the
old music, everybody did his and her best, and Captain Rayburn's flute,
exquisitely played, did indeed "help out."

Celia, her cheeks very pink, worked away until Doctor Churchill gently
took her violin from her, but after that the music still went very well.

"Good! good!" applauded Doctor Forester. "Churchill, you're in luck to
live next door to this sort of thing."

"Now that I know what I live next door to," remarked the younger
physician, "I shall know what to prescribe for the entire family on
winter evenings."

There could be no question that Doctor Churchill also was enjoying the
evening. Helping Charlotte and the boys serve the sandwiches and
chocolate, which appeared presently--the chocolate being made by Mrs.
Fields in the kitchen--he said to the girl:

"I haven't had such a good time since I came away from my old home."

"It was so nice of Fieldsy to make the chocolate," Charlotte replied,
somewhat irrelevantly. Then as the doctor looked quickly at her and
laughed, she flushed. "Oh, I don't call her that to her face!" she said,
hurriedly.

"I don't think she would mind. That's what Andy Churchill called her,
and calls her yet, when he forgets her newly acquired dignity as a
doctor's housekeeper. I'm mighty glad Fieldsy can be of service to you.
You've won her heart completely and I assure you that's a bigger triumph
than you realise."

"She's the nicest neighbour we ever had," said Charlotte, gaily. The
doctor paused, delayed them both a moment while he rearranged a pile of
spoons and forks u