all. Half-way through supper, Sharlee looked at her aunt and gave a
meaning glance at the empty seat.

"I don't know what to make of it," said Mrs. Paynter _sotto voce_. "He's
usually so regular."

To the third floor she dispatched the colored girl Emma, to knock upon
Mr. Queed's door. Presently Emma returned with the report that she had
knocked, but could obtain no answer.

"He's probably fallen asleep over his book," murmured Sharlee. "I feel
certain it's that kind of book."

But Mrs. Paynter said that he rarely slept, even at night.

"... Right on my own front porch, mind you!" Major Brooke was
declaiming. "And, gentlemen, I shook my finger in his face and said,
'Sir, I never yet met a Republican who was not a rogue!' Yes, sir, that
is just what I told him--"

"I'm afraid," said Nicolovius, smoothly,--it was the only word he
uttered during the meal,--"your remark harrows Miss Weyland with
reminders of the late Mr. Surface."

The Major stopped short, and a silence fell over the table. It was
promptly broken by Mrs. Paynter, who invited Mrs. Brooke to have a
second cup of coffee. Sharlee looked at her plate and said nothing.
Everybody thought that the old professor's remark was in bad taste, for
it was generally known that Henry G. Surface was one subject that even
Miss Weyland's intimate friends never mentioned to her. Nicolovius,