Mr. Evringham shrugged his shoulders. "Let it go then. Let it go," he
said quickly.

Harry's plain face had grown concerned. "Is Mrs. Forbes with you still?"
he asked.

"Oh, yes. I couldn't keep house without Mrs. Forbes. Well," rising, "if
you young people will excuse me, I believe I will go to the club and
turn in."

"Couldn't you stand it here one night, do you think?" asked Harry,
rising. "The club is rather far uptown for such an early start."

"No. I'll be on hand. I'm used to rising early for a canter. I'll take
it with a cab horse this time. That will be all the difference." And
with this attempt at jocularity, Mr. Evringham shook hands once more and
departed, swallowing his ill-humor as best he could. Any instincts of
the family man which might once have reigned in him had long since been
inhibited. This episode was a cruel invasion upon his bachelor habits.

Left alone, Harry and his wife without a word ascended to their room
and with one accord approached the little bed in the corner where their
child lay asleep.

The man took his wife's hand. "I've done it now, Julia," he said
dejectedly. "It's my confounded optimism again."

"Your optimism is all right," she returned, smoothing his hand gently,
though her heart was beating fast, and the vision of her father-in-law,