c Wars they were so far away as to be
hazy beyond any reality at all.

Possibly, although she was quite unconscious of it, some of the fault
was his mother's for she kept the topic of his departure to the
Crowninshields' ever before him.

"I have your new shirts almost finished, son," she would assert with
satisfaction, "and they're as neat and well made as any New York
tailor could make them, if I do say it; and you've three pairs of
khaki trousers besides your old woolen ones and corduroys. With your
Sunday suit of blue serge and those fresh ties and cap you'll have
nothing to be ashamed of. Then you've those denim overalls, and your
slicker, and Bob's outgrown pea-coat. I can't see but what you have
everything you can possibly need. Do be watchful of your shoes and use
them carefully, won't you, for they cost a mint of money? And remember
whenever you can to work in your old duds and save your others. You
can just as well as not if you only think of it. Your washing you'll
bring home and don't forget that I want you to keep neat and clean.
Rich folks notice those things a lot. So scrub your hands and neck
and clean your nails, even if I'm not there to tell you to. Just
because you are going to traipse round with the dogs is no excuse for
looking like 'em," concluded she.

"I'll remember, Ma," returned His Highness patiently.

"And if you eat with the chauffeurs and a pack of men, don't go
stuffing yourself with food until you're sick. There's a time to stop,
you know. Don't wait until you've got past it and are so crammed that
you can't swallow another mouthful."

"I won't, Ma," was the meek response.

"Brush your teeth faithfully, too. I've spent too much money on them
to have them go to waste now."

"Yes," came wearily from Walter.

"Of course there's no call for me to talk to a person your age about
smoking," continued his mother. "When you've got your full growth and
can earn money enough to pay for such foolishness you've a right to
indulge in it if you see fit; but until then don't start a habit that
will do you no good and may make a pigmy of you for life."

"I promise you right now, Ma, that I----"

"No, don't promise. A promise is a sacred thing and one that it is a
sacrilege to break. Never make a promise lightly. But just remember,
laddie, that I'd far rather you didn't smoke for a few years yet. But
should you feel you must why come and tell me, that's all."

"I will, Ma," answered the boy s