I was just wondering what I should do. There are places
in that Clover Street house that need touching up
so dreadfully. I shall be very careful. You needn't
be afraid I shall overdo. But, this just saves my life.
Did you BUY it, Bartley? You know we couldn't afford it,
and you oughtn't to have done it! And what does the Persis
Brand mean?"

"Buy it?" cried Bartley. "No! The old fool's sent it to
you as a present. You'd better wait for the facts before
you pitch into me for extravagance, Marcia. Persis is
the name of his wife; and he named it after her because
it's his finest brand. You'll see it in my interview.
Put it on the market her last birthday for a surprise
to her."

"What old fool?" faltered Marcia.

"Why, Lapham--the mineral paint man."

"Oh, what a good man!" sighed Marcia from the bottom
of her soul. "Bartley! you WON'T make fun of him as you
do of some of those people? WILL you?"

"Nothing that HE'LL ever find out," said Bartley,
getting up and brushing off the carpet-lint from his knees.



II.