of a story at which Thatcher had guffawed loudly, they rose and crossed
the veranda. Hearing them approaching, Bassett rose promptly, and they
shook hands all round.

If there were any embarrassments in the meeting for the older men, it
was concealed under the cordiality of their greetings. Pettit took
charge of the situation.

"Well, sir," he boomed, "I might've known that if I came to town and
broke into sassiety I'd get caught at it; you can't get away from home
folks! Thatcher has filled me amply with expensive urban food in this
sylvan retreat--nectar and ambrosia. I'm even as one who drinks deep of
the waters of life and throws the dipper in the well. Just come to town
and wander from the straight and narrow path and your next-door neighbor
will catch you every time. Fact is I lectured on 'American Humor' in
Churubusco last night and am lifting the spirits of Brazil to-morrow.
This will be all from Ike Pettit, the Fraserville funny man, until the
wheat's safe and our Chautauquas pitch their tents in green fields far
away. Reminds me of what Dan Voorhees said once,--dear old Dan
Voorhees,--I almost cry when I think o' Dan: well, as I was saying--"

"Didn't know you were in town, Mort," Thatcher interrupted. "I've been
in Chicago a week and only got back this evening. I found your esteemed
fellow townsman about to hit a one-arm lunch downtown and thought it
best to draw him away from the lights of the great city."

This was apology or explanation, as one chose to take it. Bassett was
apparently unmoved by it.

"I've been in town a day or two. I don't live in sleeping-cars the way
you do, Ed. I keep to the main traveled road--the straight and narrow
path, as our brother calls it," said Bassett.

"Well, I'm going to quit working myself to death. It's getting too hot
for poker, and I'm almost driven to lead a wholesome life. The thought
pains me, Mort."

Marian had opened briskly upon Allen. She wanted to know whether he had
passed the school the night before with a girl in a blue hat; she had
been sure it was he, and his denial only intensified her belief that she
had seen him. She had wagered a box of caramels with her roommate that
it was Allen; how dare he deny it and cause her to lose a dollar of her
allowance? Allen said the least he could do would be to send the candy
himself; a proposition which she declared, in a horrified whisper, he
must put from his thoughts forever. Candy, it appeared, was contraba