"Won't you join us, Lord Kelwin?" Again the Irishman looked at the teacher, but her eyes were fixed on the glowing fire. "I--well--I suppose--I could." "Suppose we have a joint meeting of the men and women next Saturday evening," said Esther. "Have a programme that would not be very long, but interesting. Then let them have a social time, and treat them to some cake and coffee." "That is a happy thought, Miss Bright," said Mrs. Clayton in hearty approval. Now plans began to be discussed in earnest. And before the guests departed, it had been decided that the first social function ever given by the people of Gila should be given in the schoolhouse the following Saturday night. As the two men walked toward the camp, Lord Kelwin questioned his companion. "What did Clayton mean by Miss Bright's being of the 'blood royal'?" "That is what he meant." "Related to some royal house of Europe, some native ruler here, eh?" His companion stopped and laughed. "Royal by nature. It is such blood as hers that should flow in the veins of the rulers of the earth." "Then she has no vast estates coming to her?" The darkness concealed the contempt on Kenneth's face. "If there is a God, (and I begin to believe there is) she has a rich reward before her." "Poor in this world's goods, eh?" "_Rich_ as few women are." His companion whistled. Kenneth stopped. Lord Kelwin stopped too. "Deuced fine girl, isn't she?" said the Irishman. His companion made no reply. After another remark from Lord Kelwin, Kenneth said sharply: "I do not care to discuss Miss Bright." So the conversation ended. But something rankled in the heart of the Englishman. Saturday night came. Such jollity! Such overflow of spirits! The laughter was loud and frequent. People came in a steady stream until the little schoolhouse was full to overflowing. Among the first arrivals, were Patrick Murphy and his wife. He was beaming with good nature. But Mrs. Murphy had come (as she expressed it) "agin her jedgment." She viewed the company with a chilly glance. Patrick chuckled. "It's plazed Oi am wid this evint. Oi've persuaded me woman, here, as this is quoite equal ter anythin' she iver attinded in York State, not even barrin' a barrn raisin'." Mrs. Murphy's beady black eyes seemed to come closer together. Her mouth set. Her nose rose by gradual gradations into the air, and her spinal column stiffened. She delivered herself to the following effect: "I _will_ confess as I have never been at a club afore. Back in York State they was only fur men folks. But my 'lations as lives on Lexity Street, York City, knows what clubs be, an' parties too, I reckon." But here John Harding, the president of the club, called the meeting to order. He announced that the first number on the programme would be a talk on physics, by Mr. Hastings. After the applause, Patrick Murphy, in facetious mood, exclaimed: "Begorra, if yez are not commincin' wid physic fur our stomachs!"