The glorious face brimmed with mischief. In vain the Woman Perfect
struggled to subdue her mirth to penitence.

"I--I'm so glad to see you, John. Won't you--won't you sit down and let
Kitty give you some tea?"

Tea! At that moment!

Clattering little blue and white cups and saucers, Miss Reid recalled
herself to my remembrance. I had forgotten that she was in the room. I
suspect that she dared not lift her head for fear I might see the laughter
in her eyes.

"I've made it extra strong, Mr. Burke," she managed to say, "because I'm
starting for the _Star_ office to find the photo-engravers routing
the noses and toeses off all my best beastesses."

"Kitty thinks all photo-engravers the embodiment of original sin," said
the Shining One. "They clip her bears' claws."

"Well," returned Miss Reid, making a flat parcel of her drawings, "this is
the den of Beauty and the beasts, and the beasts must be worthy of Beauty.
Mr. Burke, don't you know from what county of fairyland Helen hails? Is
she the Maiden Snow-white--but no; see her blush--or the Princess Marvel?
And if she's Cinderella, can't we have a peep at the fairy godmother?
Cadge will call her nothing but 'H. the M.'--short for 'Helen the
Magnificent.' And--and--oh, isn't she!"

"Kathryn!"