ed Mr. Ludlow, "has great acoustic
properties."

"Shall we get a Capitol guide?" asked Mrs. Calvert. "They say they can
amuse one greatly, for they know each place where these strange things
can be heard."

"Yes, I will go and find one. You stay here till I come back," added
Mr. Ludlow, turning to the others. In a few moments he was back,
accompanied by a young man in uniform.

The guide showed them where they could hear curious echoes, whispers
distinct at a distance, and the ability to hear slight sounds that are
inaudible at your elbow. They all tried these experiments. Ruth took
her place at one corner of the room and Dorothy in the other corner at
the same side of the room. The guide told them that they could
converse in a low tone, yet each heard distinctly what the other said.

Ruth started off by saying, "Dorothy, do you believe what this guide
is telling us or do you think he is fooling us?"

Dorothy was greatly surprised when she found she could hear quite
plainly what Ruth said, and answered, "I am surprised to say I do."

At this ambiguous answer they all laughed. Then, one by one, they
tried the experiment, each finding how perfectly it worked out.

Leaving Statuary Hall by the door under the arch, they traversed the
corridor to the present Hall of Representatives. It is an oblong room
of liberal size. The ceiling is a framework of iron, bronzed and
gilded, and inlaid with glass upon which the coats-of-arms of the
States are painted. The light effect is beautiful; the colors are
mellowed rather than obscured.

The Speaker's raised desk is against the southern wall and below this
are the marble desks of the official reporters. The latter keep a
stenographic record of everything done or said, to be published the
next morning so that those who are absent or pay little attention to
what is going on may still keep posted on the progress of events. The
sergeant-at-arms is within easy call. This latter officer is called
the Speaker's policeman--the representative of the physical force, and
his symbol of authority is the mace, which reposes on a marble
pedestal at the right of the speaker.

"The mace was adopted by the House in the first Congress," explained
Mr. Ludlow. "It has been in use ever since."

"How do they use it?" questioned Dorothy.

"When it is placed upon its pedestal," he answered, "it signifies that
the House is in session, and under the Speaker's authority."

"I suppose I ought to kn