"I don't wish to put a damper upon your studies, Ida," said the Doctor,

as he pushed back his chair. "But I do think it would be better if you

did your chemical experiments a little later in the day."

"But Mrs. Westmacott says that women should rise early, and do their

work before breakfast."

"Then they should choose some other room besides the breakfast-room."

The Doctor was becoming just a little ruffled. A turn in the open air

would soothe him, he thought. "Where are my boots?" he asked.

But they were not in their accustomed corner by his chair. Up and down

he searched, while the three servants took up the quest, stooping and

Advertisement..

peeping under book-cases and drawers. Ida had returned to her studies,

and Clara to her blue-covered volume, sitting absorbed and disinterested

amid the bustle and the racket. At last a general buzz of congratulation

announced that the cook had discovered the boots hung up among the

hats in the hall. The Doctor, very red and flustered, drew them on, and

stamped off to join the Admiral in his morning walk.

As the door slammed Ida burst into a shout of laughter. "You see,

Clara," she cried, "the charm works already. He has gone to number one

instead of to number three. Oh, we shall win a great victory. You've

been very good, dear; I could see that you were on thorns to help him

when he was looking for his boots."

"Poor papa! It is so cruel. And yet what are we to do?"

"Oh, he will enjoy being comfortable all the more if we give him a

little discomfort now. What horrible work this chemistry is! Look at

my frock! It is ruined. And this dreadful smell!" She threw open the

window, and thrust her little golden-curled head out of it. Charles

Westmacott was hoeing at the other side of the garden fence.

"Good morning, sir," said Ida.

"Good morning!" The big man leaned upon his hoe and looked up at her.

"Have you any cigarettes, Charles?"

"Yes, certainly."

"Throw me up two."

"Here is my case. Can you catch!"

A seal-skin case came with a soft thud on to the floor. Ida opened it.

It was full.

"What are these?" she asked.

"Egyptians."

"What are some other brands?"

"Oh, Richmond Gems, and Turkish, and Cambridge. But why?"

"Never mind!" She nodded to him and closed the window. "We must remember

all those, Clara," said she. "We must learn to talk about such things.

Mrs. Westmacott knows all about the brands of cigarettes. Has your rum

come?"




Most Popular