But David, wise minister and able exponent of his faith, said quickly:

"He didn't go back on you, Carol. It was the best kind of an
introduction, and He stood by you right through. They were more afraid
of you than you were of them. You might have been stiff and reserved,
and they would have been cold and self-conscious, and it would have
been ghastly for every one. But your break broke the ice right off.
You were perfectly natural."

"Hum,--yes--natural enough, I suppose. But it wasn't dignified, and
why do you suppose I have been practising dignity these last ten years?"




CHAPTER III

A BABY IN BUSINESS

"Centerville, Iowa.

"Dear Carol and David--

"Please do not call me the baby of the family any more. I am in
business, and babies have no business in business. Very good, wasn't
it? I am practising verbosity for the book I am going to write some
day. Verbosity is what I want to say, isn't it? I am never sure
whether it is that or obesity. But you know what I mean.