“Perhaps it’s on the piano where you were practicing this afternoon,” suggested Lucy. Mrs. Merwent disappeared into the living room, followed by John, and a moment later the strains of Massenet’s _Ouvrez tes Yeux_ floated in to the dining room. “Sit down, Jim,” Lucy bade Sprague, who was standing with his hands in his coat pockets. He seated himself a little distance from her. “Well, Jim, Mamma and I are not much alike, are we?” Lucy remarked, smiling with a tired expression. “Wait till I pinch myself,” Jim answered. There was a brief pause. “We’ll just have to do the best we can with things,” Lucy said, rising and averting her face as she spoke. She walked over to the mantel and arranged some flowers in a vase. “I’m outclassed,” Jim admitted. “Maybe it’s not for always.” She spoke consolingly, looking at the floor and continuing to smile determinedly. “When people see things clearly there’s always a way, so let’s not get panicky.” “The trouble is we don’t all see through things.” Jim shrugged his shoulders uncomfortably. The music ceased abruptly but almost immediately began again and Nannie sang, _Vous Dansez, Marquise_. “Give John a little time, Jim. He’ll see more than the rest of us before long,” Lucy went on, as though defending her husband from an unspoken accusation. Jim smoked fiercely. “I hope so,” he said at last, “but, as a rule, meeting a problem on the installment plan is pretty poor spiritual economy.” “Lucy,” he resumed after a pause, “your mother and I had a talk before dinner.” “I thought so.” “Well, unless I’m greatly mistaken----” Jim hesitated. The music had stopped. “Lucy, why don’t you and Jim come in and listen?” John stood in the doorway. Mrs. Merwent’s laugh tinkled from the other room. “John, you dear silly boy!” she called. “You should allow people to enjoy themselves in their own way.” “I was just going back to town,” announced Jim, standing up. Lucy stared at him with a surprised expression. At this juncture Nannie appeared in the doorway behind John. Both entered the dining room. “Why what do you mean, Jim?” John inquired. “I’ve got to get to the office early tomorrow.” “I thought Mr. Sprague _always_ spent the night,” remarked Nannie. “Lucy showed me his room.” “He does,” declared John, and turned to Jim. “You’ll have plenty of time in the morning. We’ll take the six forty.” “I must look over the specifications for those houses, and they’re in my room.” “Well, if you must, you must,” John agreed, “but why didn’t you say so before?” “Good-bye, Mrs. Merwent,” Jim said, ignoring John’s question. “Good night, Lucy.” They shook hands. “I’ll go to the station with you,” John offered. “No,” declined Jim. “No need. I’ve just time to catch the nine five. Good night.” He went into the hall and seized his hat from the rack. “Good night,” called John. “See you in the morning.” Dimmie, awakened by the noise in the hall, cried out, “Mamma!” Lucy went to him.