"Only that one," replied Leslie. "Why?" marvelled the lady. "To see if I could go to the tamarack swamp and bring from it with the same tools and material, a more artistic production than an Indian woman." "Well, you have!" conceded Mrs. Minturn. "The majority is against me," said Leslie. "Majorities mean masses, and masses are notoriously insane!" said Mrs. Minturn. "But this is a small, select majority," said Leslie. "Craziest of all," said Mrs. Minturn decidedly. "If you have finished with us, I want to thank you for the pleasure of seeing these, and Leslie, some day I really think I shall try that bird music. The idea interests me more than anything that I have ever heard of. If it were true, it would indeed be wonderful, it would be a new experience!" "If you want to hear for yourself, make it soon, because now is nesting time; not again until next spring will the music be so entrancing. I can go any day." "I'll look over my engagements and call you. If one ever had a minute to spare!" "Another of the joys of wealth!" said Leslie. "Only the poor can afford to 'loaf and invite their souls.' The flowers you will see will delight your eyes, quite as much as the music your ears." "I doubt your logic, but I'll try the birds. Are you coming Mr. Minturn?" "Not unless you especially wish me. Are these for sale?" he asked, picking up the moccasins. "Only those," replied the florist. "Send your bill," he said, turning with the basket. "How shining a thing is consistency!" sneered his wife. "You condemn the riches you never have been able to amass, but at the same time spend like a millionaire." "I never said I was not able to gain millions," replied Mr. Minturn coldly. "I have had frequent opportunities! I merely refused them, because I did not consider them legitimate. As for my method in buying flowers, in this one instance, price does not matter. You can guess what I shall do with them." "I couldn't possibly!" answered Mrs. Minturn. "The only sure venture I could make is that they will not by any chance come to me." "No. These go to baby Elizabeth," he said. "Do you want to come with me to take them to her?" With an audible sneer she passed him. He stepped aside, gravely raising his hat, while the others said good-bye to him and followed. "Positively insufferable!" cried Mrs. Minturn. "Every one of my friends say they do not know how I endure his insults and I certainly will not many more. I don't, I really don't know what he expects." Mr. Winton and Douglas Bruce were confused, while Leslie was frightened, but she tried turning the distressing occurrence off with excuses. "Of course he intended no insult!" she soothed. "He must have adored his little daughter and the flowers reminded him. I am so much obliged for your opinion and I shall be glad to take you to the swamp any time. Your little sons--would they like to go? It is a most interesting and instructive place for children."