They had entered the hotel again; in the Exchange, the rocking chair brigade and the knocker's club were gathered. "The usual thing!" Croyden remarked. "Why can't a hotel ever be free of them?" "Because it's a hotel!" laughed Macloud. "Let's go in to dinner--I'm hungry." The tall head-waiter received them like a host himself, and conducted them down the room to a small table. A moment later, the Weston party came in, with Montecute Mattison in tow, and were shown to one nearby, with Harvey's most impressive manner. An Admiral is some pumpkins in Annapolis, when he is on the _active_ list. Mrs. Weston and the young ladies looked over and nodded; Croyden and Macloud arose and bowed. They saw Miss Cavendish lean toward the Admiral and say a word. He glanced across. "We would be glad to have you join us," said he, with a man's fine indifference to the fact that their table was, already, scarcely large enough for five. "I am afraid we should crowd you, sir. Thank you!--we'll join you later, if we may," replied Macloud. A little time after, they heard Mattison's irritating voice, pitched loud enough to reach them: "I wonder what Croyden's doing here with Macloud?" he remarked. "I thought you said, Elaine, that he had skipped for foreign parts, after the Royster smash, last September." "I did say, Mr. Mattison, I _thought_ he had gone abroad, but I most assuredly did not say, nor infer, that he had _skipped_, nor connect his going with Royster's failure!" Miss Cavendish responded. "If you must say unjust and unkind things, don't make other people responsible for them, please. Shoulder them yourself." "Good girl!" muttered Macloud. "Hand him another!" Then he shot a look at his friend. "I don't mind," said Croyden. "They may think what they please--and Mattison's venom is sprinkled so indiscriminately it doesn't hurt. Everyone comes in for a dose." They dallied through dinner, and finished at the same time as the Westons. Croyden walked out with Miss Cavendish. "I couldn't help overhearing that remark of Mattison's--the beggar intended that I should," said he--"and I want to thank you, Elaine, for your 'come back' at him." "I'm sorry I didn't come back harder," said she. "And if you prefer me not to go with you to the Hop to-night don't hesitate to say so--I'll understand, perfectly. The Westons may have got a wrong impression----" "The Westons haven't ridden in the same motor, from Washington to Annapolis, with Montecute for nothing; but I'll set you straight, never fear. We are going over in the car--there is room for you both, and Mrs. Weston expects you. We will be down at nine. It's the fashion to go early, here, it seems."