his sister, then he mounted to
the nursery to "lean over" the younger children and preside at prayers.
This being accomplished, he descended to the library, where Eileen
Erroll in a filmy, lace-clouded gown, full of turquoise tints, reclined
with her arm around Drina amid heaps of cushions, watching the waitress
prepare a table for two.

He took the fresh, cool hand she extended and sat down on the edge of
her couch.

"All O.K. again?" he inquired, retaining Eileen's hand in his.

"Thank you--quite. Are you really going to dine with us? Are you sure
you want to? Oh, I know you've given up some very gay dinner
somewhere--"

"I was going to dine with Boots when Nina rescued me. Poor Boots!--I
think I'll telephone--"

"Telephone him to come here!" begged Drina. "Would he come? Oh,
please--I'd love to have him."

"I wish you would ask him," said Eileen; "it's been so lonely and stupid
to lie in bed with a red nose and fishy eyes and pains in one's back and
limbs. Please do let us have a party."

[Illustration: "'Two pillows,' said Drina sweetly."]

So Selwyn went to the telephone, and presently returned, saying that
Boots was overwhelmed and would be present at the festivities; and
Drina, enraptured, ordered flowers to be brought from the dining-room
and a large table set for four, with particular pomp and circumstance.

Mr. Archibald Lansing arrived very promptly--a short, stocky young man
of clean and powerful build, with dark, keen eyes always alert, and
humorous lips ever on the edge of laughter under his dark moustache.

His manner with Drina was always delightful--a mixture of self-repressed
idolatry and busily naive belief in a thorough understanding between
them to exclude Selwyn from their company.

"This Selwyn fellow here!" he exclaimed. "I warned him over the 'phone
we'd not tolerate him, Drina. I explained to him very carefully that you
and I were dining together in strictest privacy--"

"He begged so hard," said Eileen. "Will somebody place an extra pillow
for Drina?"

They seized the same pillow fiercely, confronting each other; massacre
appeared imminent.

"_Two_ pillows," said Drina sweetly; and extermination was averted. The
child laughed happily, covering one of Boots's hands with both of hers.

"So you've left the service, Mr. Lansing?" began Eileen, lying back and
looking smilingly at Boots.

"Had to, Miss Erroll. Seven millionaires ran into my quarters and chased
me out and down Br