ping his chin back with her fingers, so he could look at
her through his spectacles--not over them, like an ogre.

"Vere you have it?" This came in a bewildered way, as if the pair had
the big ballroom at Delmonico's in the back of their heads.

"Here, in this very place," broke in Felix, "after I get it in order."

Kling, gently freeing himself from Masie's hold, stared at his clerk.
"Dot vill cost a lot of money, don't it?"

"No, I do not think so."

"Vell, who is coming? De childer all around?"

"Everybody is coming--big, little, and middle-sized," answered Felix.
The cat was all out of the bag now.

"Vell, dot's vot I said. You don't can get someting for nodding. You
must have blenty to eat and drink."

"No. Some simple refreshment will do--sandwiches, cake, and some
ice-cream. I'll take care of that myself, if you'll permit me."

"Vell, now stop a minute vunce--here is anudder idea. Suppose ve make
it a Dutch treat--everybody bring sometings. Ve had vun last vinter at
Budvick's, de upholsterer, ven he vas married tventy-five years. I give
de apples--more as half a peck."

Felix broke into a hearty, ringing laugh--one of the few either Masie or
his employer had ever heard escape his lips.

"We will let you off without even the apples this time," he said, when
he recovered himself. "They are not coming to get something to eat this
time. I will give them something better."

"And you say everybody is comin'. Who is dot everybody?"

"Just leave it all to me, Mr. Kling. And give yourself no concern. I
am going to use everything we have: all our cups and saucers, no matter
whether they are Spode, Lowestoft, or Worcester; all the platters,
German beer mugs, candlesticks--even that rare old tablecloth
trimmed with church lace. This is an entertainment to be given by a
distinguished antiquary in honor of his lovely daughter"--and he bowed
to each in turn--"the whole conducted under the management of his junior
clerk, Mr. F. O'Day, who is very much at your service, sir."

Chapter VIII

Bright and early the following morning Felix began work, and for the
next two days took entire charge of the room, walking up and down its
length, an absolute dictator, brooking no interference from any one.
When Mike's frowsy head or Hans's grimy hands appeared above the level
of the landing from the floor below, steadying with their chins some new
possession, it was either, "here, in the middle of the room, men!" or