her cheeks. "Oh, I shouldn't put it quite that way about Alice
Adams," she said, in a low voice. "I saw something of her for a
time. She's not unattractive in a way."

Mrs. Palmer settled the whole case of Alice carelessly. "A
pushing sort of girl," she said. "A very pushing little person."

"I----" Mildred began; and, after hesitating, concluded, "I
rather dropped her."

"Fortunate you've done so," her father remarked, cheerfully.
"Especially since various members of the Lamb connection are here
frequently. They mightn't think you'd show great tact in having
her about the place." He laughed, and turned to his cousin.
"All this isn't very interesting to poor Arthur. How terrible
people are with a newcomer in a town; they talk as if he knew all
about everybody!"

"But we don't know anything about these queer people, ourselves,"
said Mrs. Palmer. "We know something about the girl, of
course--she used to be a bit too conspicuous, in fact! However,
as you say, we might find a subject more interesting for Arthur."

She smiled whimsically upon the young man. "Tell the truth," she
said. "Don't you fairly detest going into business with that
tyrant yonder?"

"What? Yes--I beg your pardon!" he stammered.

"You were right," Mrs. Palmer said to her husband. "You've