"I wish he wasn't going to butt in with his city manners," Reddy Brooks was thinking regretfully. "He is sure to have a swelled head and try to boss the crowd." They had pictured him as a sort of dandy, with needle-toed patent leather shoes and a coat cut in at the waist and padded over the shoulders. Even David had voiced a few thoughts on the subject of Tom Gray. "I'll bet he's an English dude," he said. For Mrs. Gray's nephew had spent most of his life in England. "He'll probably carry a cane and wear a monocle." They were not surprised, therefore, when a young man entered the room who bore out somewhat the picture they had conjured. He was tall and slender, very dapper and rather ladylike in his bearing. His alert, dark eyes were set too close together, and his face had a narrow, sinister look that made them all feel uncomfortable. He spoke with a decided English accent, in a light, flippant voice which sent a quiver of dislike up and down David's spine, and made Reddy Brooks give his right arm a vigorous twirl as if he would have liked to pitch something at the young man's head. Mrs. Gray was the most surprised person in the room. It must be remembered that she had not seen her nephew since he was a child, and she had hoped for better things than this. However, always the most courteous and loyal of souls, she now made the best of the situation and greeted the newcomer cordially, though she did not bestow upon him the motherly kiss she had been saving. Tom Gray bowed low over his aunt's hand. "You are so much changed, Tom; I should hardly have known you," exclaimed the old lady, trying to conceal her disappointment and dismay. "England has weaned you away from your own country. You look as if you had just stepped out of Piccadilly." "And so I have, aunt," replied the young man, using a very broad "a." "I have been in this country only a few months. England is the only place in the world for me, you know. I can't bear America." Hippy Wingate gave himself an angry shake, which made all the ornaments on the mantelpiece rattle ominously. "You must let me introduce you to my young friends, Tom," said Mrs. Gray, changing the subject quickly. The introductions having been accomplished, she took his arm and led the way back to dinner. "Do you think we can stand him for a week?" whispered David to Grace, as they followed down the hall. "We'll have to," replied Grace, "or hurt Mrs. Gray's feelings. But isn't he the limit?" "Asinine dandy!" hissed Hippy. "I knew he'd be a Miss Nancy," exclaimed Reddy. The girls did not express their disappointment, but as the meal progressed the conversation was strained and stupid. "How did you leave your cousins in England, Tom?" asked Mrs. Gray, trying to keep the ball rolling and inwardly wishing she had never asked her nephew down. "Quite well, thank you, aunt," replied Thomas Gray. "I expect to leave this beastly country and join them very soon."