characterized as "smelly," to see if his opinion agreed with that of
the critics. If it did not, Susan must listen to long dissertations
upon the degeneracy of modern music. His current passion was the
German language, which he was studying in odd moments so that he
might translate certain scientific treatises in a manner more to the
scientific mind.

"Hello, Susan, darling!" he said now, as he slipped into his chair.

"Hello, heart's delight!" Susan answered composedly.

"Well, here--here--here!" said an aged gentleman who was known for
no good reason as "Major," "what's all this? You young folks going
to give us a wedding?"

"Not unless I'm chloroformed first, Major," Susan said, briskly, and
everybody laughed absently at the well-known pleasantry. They were
all accustomed to the absurdity of the Major's question, and far
more absorbed just now in watching the roast, which had just come
on. Another pot-roast. Everybody sighed.

"This isn't just what I meant to give you good people to-night,"
said Mrs. Lancaster cheerfully, as she stood up to carve, "but
butchers can be tyrants, as we all know. Mary Lou, put vegetables on
that for Mrs. Cortelyou."

Mary Lou briskly served potatoes and creamed carrots and summer
squash; Susan went down a pyramid of saucers as she emptied a large
bowl of rather watery tomato-sauce.