“Cause and effect,” said the president, gloomily. “I never thought of buying that new hat until I heard Helen tell the milliner it was too expensive for her. After I got it home, I found it didn’t match a thing I possessed. I just believe Helen said that before me for meanness, knowing I would be compelled to buy it, then. And now the milliner absolutely refuses to take it off my hands. I threatened to withdraw my trade if she didn’t; but it had no effect. She knows I have more hats already than I need for this season, and by the time they are all worn out—and paid for—I shall have forgotten all about it.” “But why not pay your bill at once, and open another with somebody else? That—” “I don’t care to let Tom see the old bill just now, dear. It wouldn’t matter ordinarily, but since he inherited that money from his aunt he is feeling unusually poor, and it might cause a family unpleasantness.” “How thoughtful you always are, Evelyn! Really, the study of theosophy seems to have developed your character wonderfully. I do hope you will explain it all thoroughly to me,” said the girl with the Roman nose; “I am really so stupid that even after to-day’s discussion, I feel that I do not fully understand it.” “Perhaps at some future time,” said the president, hastily. “I am sorry to say that we really must adjourn now. My mother-in-law is coming to dine with us, and I don’t want her poking about the house in my absence.” Chapter XII A Discussion and a Surprise “‘Civic Organizations Among the Ancient Greeks,’ will be our topic for to-day,” said the president. “And, oh, girls, I am so angry with Tom that I would go right home to mamma, but for the fact that she always agrees with him. Papa invariably thinks _I_ am in the right; but he would say unpleasant things about Tom, and I shouldn’t like that, either. The consequence is that I must just endure my martyrdom in silence.” “But, what is wrong? Is it about that legacy from Tom’s aunt?” queried the girl with the Roman nose. “Dear me, I often think it’s so hard that really poor men are usually nicer than those that have money.” “I don’t see why you always think of money in connection with me,” said the president. “Heaven knows, I am not mercenary, and I only want to live well and dress properly, in order that people may see Tom is not stingy. No, this is quite another matter. It all came from the topic I selected for to-day. I was talking, rather learnedly, about ‘Civic Organizations Among the Ancient Greeks,’ when Tom asked me suddenly what ward I live in! Of course, I didn’t know—” “Why, neither do I,” said the brown-eyed blonde, “but it must be the same one, for we both live on the north side!” “I really don’t know, either,” said the girl with the dimple in her chin. “I don’t see what difference it makes though, for I could ask the clerk at the corner drug store if I needed particularly to know.”