, he insisted on following his own vagrant
fancy, and at last decided upon an elaborate French basket of pale-blue
satin covered with shirrings of fine tulle. The lid was a mass of
artificial flowers, violets and delicate pink roses, and within the
satin-lined depths was a bunch of Hamburg grapes.

This, when finally and carefully wrapped, made a huge package; but Hayden
insisted on carrying it, assuring Marcia that every one they met would be
sure that he was carrying home the turkey for their Sunday dinner. He
bore it ostentatiously, and took particular glee in any passing attention
they excited.

"You act as if you were twenty, instead of well--let me guess your age,"
looking at him with keen scrutiny. "About thirty-five," said Marcia
cruelly.

He stopped short to gaze at her with pained reproach. "I am Youth!
Incarnate Youth, just eighteen. No doubt to your dulled materialistic
vision I appear to wear a coat and hat. Is that true?" with polite,
tolerant patience.

"It certainly appears that way to me," she replied. "What do you imagine
yourself to be wearing?"

"And I dare say," he continued still patiently, "that you also fancy you
and I are strolling about in one of the shopping districts of New York?"

"Yes," nodding affirmatively. "Where else?"

"Wretched, purblind girl! Thirty-five indeed! Why, I am eighteen, and
clad in the hide of a leopard with a wreath of roses on my brow, and you,
sweet Oenone, are wandering with me on the slopes of Ida--and we are
taking your mother, not one, but a peck of golden apples."

"All things considered," said Marcia significantly, "I am glad we have
reached our own door."

They found Mrs. Oldham in good spirits in consequence of having seen a
number of people who had sufficient tact duly to admire her new costume
worn for the first time that afternoon. She had given much consideration
to all the effects of the picture she wished to create, and now sat in an
especial chair in an especial part of the room, a vision in pale gray and
orchid tints most skilfully mingled. Her feet, in orchid silk stockings,
and slippers adorned with great choux of gray chiffon, looked on their
footstool as if they were a part of the decorations of the room and had
never served the utilitarian purpose of conveyance.

"Oh, I am glad to see you!" she cried, peering past Marcia to Hayden who
followed, almost obscured by his great package. She stretched out a hand
for him to take, not disarrang