"Am I all right--ready for publication and criticism? The damp weather makes my hair so curly I can scarcely keep it in line. Ma-Lila, the clasp of my necklace feels a little rickety, so I must ask you to move it around in front, and cover it securely with this." She held out a diamond butterfly, and Eliza fastened it in the gold-wire links of the emerald chain. As she settled the jewels in place, she stooped and kissed one lovely white shoulder. "Solemn little mother! I know exactly what you are thinking. That I am as frivolous a creature as grandmother's heirloom butterfly? You should not lose sight of the psychic symbolism of this much slandered and despised insect. Little white butterflies whose wings are all powdered with shining star-dust are the souls of babies----" "Pagan nonsense that I won't listen to. Moreover, you ought to be ashamed to jest about your immortal soul as if it were yours exclusively--to play with as you would a ball." "You darling Puritan! If you do not unlace yours it surely will smother. Really, I thought it was orthodox to believe that in the very last analysis and final adjustment of personal property one's own soul was one's solitary chattel that defied and survived the confiscation of death. Motherkin, don't scold! Kiss me good night, and help me with my cloak, so that I shall not muss all this lace jabot. Is not father ready?" Eliza laid her long, white velvet cloak around her and tied the ribbons under her chin. "What keeps father so long? I heard the front door bell ring; is there a visitor?" "No visitor. Only some document left for the Judge. He is dressing." Eglah went to the door of an adjoining room and rapped. "Father, we shall be late. Unpardonable, you know, at a formal dinner." "Almost ready. Old men need more time for repairs than young beauties." When he came in, walking briskly, with his overcoat on his arm, Eliza saw that he had rallied surprisingly. Brandy reinforced his nerves, and the cautious, defensive tactics of a lifetime availed now to readjust and restore his equipoise of manner. A flush showed on the full cheeks, and his eyes shone like those of a cat in some dim corner. "Inexcusably late, father! What can we say?" "Come, my dear; leave that to me. I shall simply apologize by telling the truth--a spell of indigestion delayed me, but I felt sure one of the Secretary's famous cocktails would rejuvenate me."