es, was
wrapped closely in bandages soaked with cold cream. The bath-tub was
still half-full of tepid water, from which rose faint exhalations of the
latest attar, so delicate that they attained deception, and made one
look around instinctively for flowers.

Folly's big brown eyes seemed to be closed, but in reality they were
fixed on a little clock in plain, white porcelain, to match the room,
which stood on a glass shelf high on the wall in front of her. "I'm sure
that old clock has stopped," she cried petulantly to the masseuse. "Tell
me if it's ticking."

"Ut's ticking," said the _masseuse_, patiently. Then she added, as
though she were reciting: "Be mindful. Youth is a fund that can be saved
up like pennies. The tenure of youth and beauty is determined by the
amount and the quality--"

"Of relaxation," chanted Folly, breaking in. "It is not enough that the
body be relaxed; wrinkles come from the mind. Relax your mind even as
you relax your fingers and your toes. Tra-la-la, la-la!" Folly wriggled
the free tips of her pink toes. She felt the maid come in. "What do you
want, Marie?"

"Nothing, Miss," said the maid; "only I think something must of
happened."

"Nothing, only something's happened," mimicked Folly. "Well, what's
happened?"

"It's Mr. Lewis's governor, Miss, please. He's here, and he says he just
must see you."

"So you let him in, did you? At half-past ten in the morning? How much
did he give you?"

"Oh, nothing at all, Miss." Marie paused. "He's that charming he didn't
have to give me anything."

"H--m--m!" said Folly. "Well, go ask him what he wants."

"He won't say, Miss. He's that troubled he just keeps his eyes on the
floor, an' says as he has something private he must tell you. Perhaps
Mr. Lewis has broke his leg. I'm sure I don't know."

"Come on, Buggins," said Miss Delaires to the masseuse. "Don't you hear?
There's a gentleman waiting to see me."

Buggins shook her head.

"The hour ut is not finish," she said calmly. "Five minutes yet." And
for five long minutes Folly had to wait. Then the _masseuse_ went
swiftly into action. Off came the mask and the long, moist bandages. As
the bandages uncoiled, Marie rolled them up tightly and placed them, one
after the other, on the glass shelves of a metal sterilizer. Buggins
rolled up her white sleeves, and entered forthwith on the major rite.

First she massaged Folly's full, round neck; then her swift, deep
fingers, passed down one ar