liked solitude, books, music, dogs, and his fireside. The old
doctor's one social enjoyment was in visiting Peter, and the
younger man went to no other place so steadily as he came to the
old house under the redwoods.

The girls accepted him unquestioningly, sometimes resenting his
frank criticism, sometimes grateful for the entertaining he
delighted to do for them, but most often ignoring him, as if he
had been an uncle whose place and standing in the domestic circle
was unquestioned, but who did not really enter into their young
plans and lives. He was whimsically, good-naturedly disapproving
of Alexandra, and he frankly did not like Anne, but he had always
been especially indulgent to Cherry, and had taken the subject of
Cherry's schooling and development very seriously. And Cherry
treated him, in return, as if she had been his demure and
mischievous and affectionate daughter.

"'Morning, Peter!" said Doctor Strickland now, smiling at him.
"Have you had yours?"

"My house," said Mr. Joyce fastidiously, "is a well-managed
place."

"Of course," Alix said, panting from her welcome to the dog, and
laughing at the newcomer without resentment, "of course it is, for
the President Emeritus of the Maiden Ladies' Guild is running it!"

"Don't be insulting," Peter answered, in the same mood. "Say," he
added, pursing his lips to whistle, as he looked at the rose tree,
"did Tuesday's wind do that?"