Carl did not really see the living-room, their background. Indeed, he never really saw it. There was nothing to see--chairs and a table and pictures of meadows and roses. It was comfortable, however, and had conveniences--a folding card-table, a cribbage-board, score-pads for whist and five hundred; a humidor of cigars; a large Morris chair and an ugly but well-padded couch of green tufted velvetine. They sat about in chairs, talking. Ray came in, slapped Carl on the back, roared: "Well, here's the stranger! Holy Mike! have you got a mustache, too? Better shave it off before Gert starts kidding you about it. Have a cigar?" Carl felt at home for the first time in a year; for the first time talked easily. "Say, Gertie, tell me about my folks, and Bone Stillman." "Why, I saw your father just before we left, Carl. You know he still does quite a little business. We got your mother to join the Nautilus Club--she doesn't go very often; but she had a nice paper about 'Java and Its Products,' and she helps us a lot with the rest-room. I haven't seen Mr. Stillman for a long, long time. Ray, what has----" Ray: "Why, I think old Bone's off on some expedition 'r other. Fellow told me Bone was some kind of a forest ranger or mine inspector, or some darn thing, up in the Big Woods. He must be pretty well along toward seventy now, at that." Carl: "So dad's getting along well. His letters aren't very committal.... Oh, say, Gertie, what ever became of Ben Rusk? I've lost track of him entirely." Gertie: "Why, didn't you know? He went to Rush Medical College. They say he did splendidly there; he stood awfully well in his classes, and now he's in practise with his father, home." Carl: "Rush?" Gertie: "Yes, you know, in Chi----" Carl: "Oh yes, sure; in Chicago; sure, I remember now; I saw it when I was there one time. Why! That's the school his father went to, wasn't it?" Ray: "Yes, sure, that's the one." The point seemed settled. Carl: "Well, well, so Ben _did_ study medicine, after----Oh, _say_, how's Adelaide Benner?" Gertie: "Why, you'll see her! She's coming to New York in just a couple of weeks to stay with us till she gets settled. Just think, she's to have a whole year here, studying domestic science, and then she's to have a perfectly dandy position teaching in the Fargo High School. I'm not supposed to tell--you mustn't breathe a _word_ of it----" Mrs. Cowles (interrupting): "Adelaide is a good girl....Ray! Don't tilt your chair!" Gertie: "Yes, _isn't_ she, mamma.... Well, I was just saying: between you and me, Carl, she is to have the position in Fargo all ready and waiting for her, though of course they can't announce it publicly, with all the cats that would like to get it, and all. Isn't that fine?" Carl: "Certainly is.... 'Member the time we had the May party at Adelaide's, and all I could get for my basket was rag babies and May flowers? Gee, but I felt out of it!" Gertie: "We did have some good parties, _didn't_ we!"