an old
dear!"

"Stuff!" protests Mr. Ellins. "'Old bear,' is more like it."

And me, I picks up a new cue. I escorts 'em out to the gen'ral office
with all the honors. "I'll have that car down in a jiffy, Miss," says
I.

"Oh, thank you," says Marjorie. "And if you think of anything we ought
to ditch in the meantime--"

"Ah, what's the use rubbin' it in on me," says I, "after the way you
put it over Mr. Ellins? I don't count. Besides, anybody that fields
their position like you do has got me wearin' their button for keeps."

"Really?" says she. "I shall remember that, you know; and there's no
telling what dreadful thing I may do before I go. Is there, Dud?"

"Oh, quit it, Peggy!" says he. "Behave, can't you?"

"Certainly, Brother dear," says she, runnin' her tongue out at him.
Ever see anyone who could make a cute play of that? Well, Marjorie
could, believe me!

Funny, though, the sudden hit them two seemed to make with Old Hickory.
Honest, the few days they was around the house his disposition clears
up like coffee does when you stir in the egg. I heard him talkin' to
Mr. Robert about 'em, how well brought up and mannerly they was. He
even unloads some of it on me, by way of suggestin' 'em as models.
You'd most think he'd trained 'em himself.

Bein' chased up to the house on so many errands, I had a chance to get
the benefit of some of this improvin' influence. And it was kind of
good, I admit, to watch how prompt Dudley hops up every time any older
party comes into the room; and how sweet Marjorie is to everybody, even
the butler. They was just as nice to each other too,--Brother helpin'
Sister on with her wraps, and gettin' down on his knees to put on her
rubbers; while Marjorie never forgets to thank him proper, and pat him
chummy on the cheek.

"Gee!" thinks I. "A sister like that wouldn't be so bad to have
around."

Course, I knew this was comp'ny manners, exhibition stuff; but all the
same it was kind of inspirin' to see. It's catchin' too. I even finds
myself speakin' gentle to Piddie, and offerin' to help Mr. Ellins with
his overcoat.

All of which lasts until here one afternoon, as I'm waitin' in the
Ellins' lib'ry for some presents I'm to deliver, when the spell is
shattered. I'd heard 'em out in the hall, talkin' low and earnest, and
next thing I know they've drifted in where I am and have opened up a
lively debate.

"Pooh!" says Marjorie. "You can't stop me."

"See here