you must play the latest popular songs for me, and Alice will sing
'Sweet, Sweet Home,' and perhaps I can forget the cares of State--
until to-morrow, anyway."

Maude flounced out of the door tossing a kiss from the tips of her
fingers, to the astonishment of Sober Harry who had just entered, and
who wished, from the bottom of his heart, that the flying salutation
had been for him.




CHAPTER III

A VACATION AT FERNBOROUGH


The Hon. Nathaniel Adams Sawyer did not dine at home that evening.
Quincy's mother said that he had gone to Salem but would return
later. After dinner the little company of five repaired to the
parlour. Maude sang negro melodies despite the protests of her
mother, and her sister Florence's assertion that they were only sung
at cheap variety shows.

"How do you know that?" cried Maude. "Did Reginald tell you?"

"Who is Reginald?" asked Quincy.

"Oh," said Maude, tossing her head, "he's Florence's latest. She met
him night before last--"