My calm regard forbade the gentleman's outfitter to smile, even in the back of his head. "I think I understand, sir. Now, here is something that is being a good deal worn just now. Beautiful finish." "Nothing brownish, thank you," said momma, with decision. "No, madam? Then perhaps you would prefer this, sir. More on the iron gray, sir." "That would certainly be more becoming," said momma. "And I like that invisible line. But it's rather too woolly. I'm afraid it wouldn't keep its appearance. What do you think, Mamie?" "Oh, there's no _wool_liness, madam." The gentleman's outfitter's tone implied that wool was the last thing he would care to have anything to do with. "It's the nap. And as to the appearance of these goods"--he smiled slightly--"well, we put our reputation on them, that's all. I can't say more than that. But I have the same thing in a smooth finish, if you would prefer it." "I think I would prefer it. Wouldn't you, Mamie?" The man brought the same thing in a smooth finish, and looked interrogatively at poppa. "Oh, I prefer it, too," said he, with a profound assumption of intelligent interest. "Were you thinking of having the pants made of the same material, Augusta?" The gentleman's outfitter suddenly turned his back, and stood thus for an instant struggling with something like a spasm. Knowing that if there's one thing in the world momma hates it's the exhibition of poppa's sense of humour, I walked to the door. When I came back they were measuring the Senator. "Will you have the American shoulder, sir? Most of our customers prefer it." "Well, no. The English shoulder would be more of a novelty on me. You see I come from the United States myself." "Do you indeed, sir?" The manners of some tailors might be emulated in England. "Tails are a little longer than they were, sir, and waistcoats cut a trifle higher. Not more than half an inch in both cases, sir, but it does make a difference. Now, with reference to the coat, sir; will you have it finished with braid or not? Silk braid, of course, sir." "Augusta?" demanded the Senator. "Is braid _de nouveau_?" asked momma. "Not precisely, madam, but the Prince certainly has worn it this season while he didn't last." "Do you refer to Wales?" asked poppa. "Yes, sir. He's very generally mentioned simply as 'The Prince.' His Royal Highness is very conservative, so to speak, about such things, so when he takes up a style we generally count on its lasting at least through one season. I can assure you, sir, the Prince has appeared in braid. You needn't be afraid to order it." "I think," put in momma, "that braid would make a very neat finish, love." Poppa walked slowly towards the door, considering the matter. With his hand on the knob he turned round. "No," he said, "I don't think that's reason enough for me. We're both men in public positions, but I've got nothing in common with Wales. I'll have a plain hem." CHAPTER IV.