repose by the fireside by telling him that she was a wee bit
worried about Zoie and Alfred.

"Alfred is so unreasonable," said Aggie, "so peevish."

"Nonsense!" exclaimed Jimmy shortly. "If he's peevish he has
some good reason. You can be sure of that."

"You needn't get cross with me, Jimmy," said Aggie in a hurt
voice.

"Why should I be cross with you?" snapped Jimmy. "It isn't YOUR
fault if Alfred's made a fool of himself by marrying the last
person on earth whom he should have married."

"I think he was very lucky to get her," argued Aggie in defence
of her friend.

"Oh, you do, do you?" answered Jimmy in a very aggrieved tone.

"She is one of the prettiest girls in Chicago," said Aggie.

"You're pretty too," answered Jimmy, "but it doesn't make an
idiot of you."

"It's TIME you said something nice to me," purred Aggie; and her
arm stole fondly around Jimmy's large neck.

"I don't know why it is," said Jimmy, shaking his head
dejectedly, "but every time Zoie Hardy's name is mentioned in