"No, we haven't seen the real inmates yet. I suppose you keep them under lock and key," interposed Philip. "Hardly," responded Miss South, "because--" Then, as the door was pushed open for a minute, shouts of merriment from another part of the house showed that if in durance vile, the inmates were at least in full possession of some of their faculties. Then the party broke up into two groups. Tom in his vivacious way told of his experiences as a fledgling lawyer. This was his first visit to Boston since he had been admitted to the bar, and he described himself as just beginning to believe that he might escape starvation from the fact that one or two clients had made their appearance at his office. "It's lucky for my friends that a little practice is coming my way, for I was ready, for the sake of business, to set any of them by the ears. Why, the other day when I was out with my uncle, and the cable car stopped too suddenly, I almost hoped that he would sprain his ankle--just a little, that I might have the chance to bring suit against the company." "How cruel!" exclaimed Julia, into whose ear he had let fall these rash admissions. While Tom ran on in this frivolous fashion, Philip was talking more seriously with Pamela and Miss South. Indeed, seriousness was a quality that Philip now showed to an extent that seemed strange to those who had known him in his earlier college years. Much responsibility had recently come to him on account of his father's failing health, and in the West he had been so thrown on his own resources that he no longer regarded life as unsatisfactory unless it offered him amusement. "I have wondered," he was saying to Miss South, "if you really wished me to give that talk on the Western country." "Yes, indeed, we are very anxious to have it. We are counting on you to open our lecture season." "Oh, I'm only too happy, although you must remember that I'm not a professional; but my lantern is in order, and I have nearly a hundred slides. Many of them are really fine,--even if I do say it," he concluded apologetically. "I'm sure they are," responded Miss South, "and I can tell you that we older 'inmates,' as you call us, are equally anxious to hear you." "You mean, to see the pictures; they will be worth your attention, but as to my speaking--" "'You'd scarce expect one of my age To speak in public on the stage,'" interposed Tom mockingly, as he overheard the latter part of the sentence. Whereat Philip, somewhat embarrassed, was glad to see Angelina at the door announcing "Dinner is served," and leading the way with Miss South the others followed them to the dining-room.