ean by own," said the girl coolly. "You must
not take too much for granted."

"Well, what my money pays for I own, I suppose," said Rupert.

"Well," said Adrien, "that depends."

"My dear Adrien," said her mother, "you have such strange notions.
I suppose you got them in those Clubs in London and from those queer
people you used to meet."

"Very dear people," said Adrien, with a far away look in her eyes, "and
people that loved justice and right."

"All right, Ade," said her younger sister, with a saucy grin, "I agree
entirely with your sentiments. I just adore that pale blue tie of yours.
I suppose, now that what's yours is mine, I can preempt that when I
like."

"Let me catch you at it!"

"Well done, Patricia. You see the theories are all right till we come to
have them applied all round," said Rupert.

"We were talking of joint ownership, Pat," said her sister, "the joint
ownership of things to the making of which we have each contributed a
part."

"Exactly," said Rupert. "I guess Grant Maitland paid his own good money
for his plant."

"Yes," said Adrien.

"Yes, and all he paid for he owns."

"Yes."

"Well, that's all there is to it."

"Oh, pardon me--there is a good deal more--"

"Well, well, children, we shall not discuss the subject any further.
Shall we all go up for coffee?"

"These are very radical views you are advancing, Adrien," said her
father, rising from his chair. "You must be careful not to say things
like that in circles where you might be taken seriously."

"Seriously, Daddy? I was never more serious in my life." She put her arm
through her father's. "I must give you some books, some reports to read,
I see," she said, laughing up into his face.

"Evidently," said her father, "if I am to live with you."

"I wonder what Captain Jack would think of these views," said Rupert,
dropping into step with Patricia as they left the dining room together.

"He will think as Adrien does," said Patricia stoutly.

"Ah, I wouldn't be too sure about that," said Rupert. "You see, it makes
a difference whose ox is being gored."

"What do you mean?" cried Patricia hotly.

"Never mind, Pat," said her sister over her shoulder. "I don't think he
knows Captain Jack as we do."

"Perhaps better," said Rupert in a significant tone.

Patricia drew away from him.

"I think you are just horrid," she said. "Captain Jack is--"

"Never mind, dear. Don't let him pull your leg like that," said her
si