ONEY

White and silver for Jean, the peacocky scarf making Emily shine with
the best of them, Dr. McKenzie called away at the last moment, and
promising to join them later; Derry catching his breath when he saw his
violets among Jean's laces; Drusilla wondering a little at this
transfigured Derry; Marion Gray settling down to the comfort of a chat
with Emily--what had these to do with a Tin Soldier on a shelf?

"How is your father, Derry?"

"Better, Drusilla. He has a fine nurse. Dr. McKenzie sent her."

"And I have Emily," Jean sang from the corner of the big car where
Derry had her penned in, with the fragrance of her violets sweeping
over him as he sat next to her. "I want Emily always, but Daddy has to
have a nurse in the office, and Emily won't give up her toys. And in
the meantime Hilda and I are ready to scratch each other's eyes out.
Please keep her as long as you can on your father's case, Mr. Drake."

"Say 'Derry,'" he commanded under cover of the light laughter of the
women.

"Not before---everybody--"

"Whisper it, then."

"Derry, Derry."

His pulses pounded. During the rest of the drive, he spoke to his
other guests and seemed to listen, but he heard nothing--nothing but
the whisper of that beloved voice.

As Derry had said, all the world of Washington was at the ball. The
President and his wife in a flag-draped box, she in black with a
turquoise fan, he towering a little above her, more than President in
these autocratic days of war. They looked down on men in the uniforms
of the battling world--Scot and Briton and Gaul--in plaid and khaki and
horizon blue--.

They looked down on women knitting.

Mrs. Witherspoon and a party of young people sat in a box adjoining
Derry's. Ralph was there and Alma Drew, and Alma was more than ever
lovely in gold-embroidered tulle.

Ralph knew what had happened when he saw Jean dancing with Derry.
There was no mistaking the soft raptures of the youthful pair. In the
days to come Ralph was to suffer wounds, but none to tear his heart
like this. And so when he danced with Jean a little later he did not
spare her.

"A man with money always gets what he wants."

"I don't know what you mean."

"I think you do. You are going to marry Derry Drake."

She shrank at this. She had in her meetings with Derry never looked
beyond the bliss of the moment. To have Ralph's rough fingers tearing
at the veil of her future was revolting.

She breathed quick