Perceiving that he was in a sentimental mood, and that the Gay Lady had
stopped playing and was coming out again upon the porch, I turned my
attention to the Philosopher. In spite of the music he seemed not in a
sentimental mood.

"You have a lot of girl company, first and last, don't you?" he queried,
when he and I had agreed upon the beauty of the night.

"It happens so, for some reason," I admitted.

He shook his head regretfully. "If I thought you were going to have
anything more like that to-day soon, I should take to the woods,"
said he.




V

AZALEA

It all depends upon a consciousness of values, a sense of proportion.
--_Arthur Christopher Benson._


"The heavens have fallen!" I announced in the doorway of the Gay Lady's
room. "Cook is ill--I had the doctor for her in the night. And my little
waitress went home just yesterday to her sister's wedding."

"And breakfast to get," responded the Gay Lady, arriving instantly at