with enough emphasis
to point his jest.

"Yes," went on Alla, unmoved, though Mr. Fairfield nearly choked as he
watched her intent face, "just that. Unless one does use one's soul it
becomes rusted and useless."

Her face was drawn with intensity, her lifted hand shook a long slender
forefinger at Chick, and that urbane young man had just about all he
could do to preserve his gravity.

But he went calmly on. "Do you know," he said, "I sometimes think my
soul is a bit rusty."

"Very likely," said Sam Blaney, who didn't like to be long out of the
conversation. "Suppose you join our coterie and get the rust removed.
Nor am I joking, Mr. Channing. Many there be who laugh at our
earnestness, but only because of their own ignorance."

"I dare say that is so," put in Fred Fairfield, in sincere tones;
"that's why I'm specially interested in knowing just what you do to
tinker up a rusty soul. Pardon my rude diction, but I am not aesthetic
myself. However, I am deeply interested."

"I feel sure you are, Mr. Fairfield," and Alla gave him a soulful
glance; "and though it is not easy I will try to give you a hint of our
methods."

"Let me tell him, Alla," insisted Sam, and he waved her to silence with
a gesture of his long, white hand. "You see, sir, it is not often we
meet such a receptive nature as you kindly show, and I am but too glad
to gratify your most justifiable curiosity and Interest."

"Me, too," cried Chick. "Pray don't leave me out. I truly want to
know what will clean the rust off my soul."

Again Patty besought him by urgent glances to beware of offending her
guests, but Chick shook his head, indicating there was no danger. Nor
was there. Though Mr. Fairfield and Channing both were consumed with
merriment at the idea of their rusty souls, the Blaneys were quite in
earnest and proceeded to dilate on their favourite subjects.

"Once under the influence of our atmosphere and our beliefs," avowed
Blaney, "your soul expands and flowers out like a star!"

"Oh, how beautiful!" breathed Chick, with such a rapt expression, that
Patty had to put up her napkin quickly to hide her smile.

"Yes," said Alla, "my brother says wonderful things. His own soul is
ineffably sweet."

"It must be!" and Chick looked at Blaney with an adoring gaze that
nearly sent Nan into convulsions.

Patty was scared, for if Chick kept this up the Blaneys must realise
his intent and would be mortally offended.

"How near Ch