"I agree to all that, Chester, dear. But you are so mixed in it
socially. Why did you ever get into that set?"

"It isn't a bad set, Aunt Lu. It isn't a fast set, by any means."

"You wouldn't see Winnie or me there."

"No, but a decent man goes to places where he wouldn't take his women
people. Now, let up, Auntie. Trust your good-for-nothing nevvy, and
just do all you can to help--by doing nothing."

"I'll help you, Chessy-Cat. I'll do exactly as you tell me, if you'll
only let me know about it, and not treat me like a baby," said Winnie,
who was wheedlesomely assisting my breakfast arrangements. She
sugared and creamed my cereal, and, as I dispatched it, she buttered
toast and poured coffee and deftly sliced off the top of a soft-boiled
egg.

I managed to eat some of these viands between answers to their
rapid-fire volley of questions and at last I made ready to go down
town.

"And remember," I said, as I departed, "if a lot of gossippy old hens
come around here to-day--or your chicken friends--Winnie, don't tell
them a thing. Let 'em get it from the papers, or apply to information,
or any old way, but don't you two give out a line of talk! See?"

I kissed them both, and started off.