Laughter pealed from the increasing crowds at the nonsensical behavior of the orphans. In the center of town, prominent business men were away from their offices for luncheon. They gazed indifferently at the marching band, but as the machine approached, they recognized its monogram, and, attracting the attention of companions, they burst into shouts of laughter. Here was the car of wealthy Obadiah Dale, packed with negro children, chaperoned by his daughter, taking part in a minstrel parade. Suddenly upon the sidewalk near the curb, Virginia espied her father. Regardless of her surroundings, the girl endeavored to attract his attention by waving her hand. The pickaninnies joined with shouts, considering it a pleasant game. Plunged in thought and heedless of the band, the increased clamor aroused Obadiah. Incredulity and amazement, at the sight of his daughter and her company, held him. An acquaintance approached, spoke and laughed. Anger flushed the mill owner as he marked the staring eyes fixed in unveiled amusement on himself and his daughter. "Daddy is over there,--there." She indicated the place to Ike, delight in her discovery accenting her cry. The chauffeur, thus rudely torn from his musical reverie, solaced his disturbed harmoniousness, by smiting the ears of the crowd and wrecking the sweet tones of the band, by a discordant honk. Thus soothed, he attempted to turn towards the sidewalk, but the congested traffic blocked him and he had to delay a few moments before he could swing the car over to the curb. Obadiah came up. He glared at the assembled orphans with manifest disapproval and gave gruff tongue to his astonishment. "What does this mean? I don't understand it," he snarled at Virginia. In the depths of her big blue eyes lay tenderness as she anxiously searched his cold grey ones for some sign of sympathetic appreciation. "Daddy, dear"--there was a note of pride in her manner--"these are orphans from the Lincoln Home. I have had them out riding all morning." The pickaninnies acknowledged the introduction with screams. This attention added fuel to Obadiah's irritation, "How are you going to get rid of this bunch?" he asked loudly, giving no heed to the listening ears of guests. "I want to go home and get my lunch." The girl wrinkled her nose in thoughtful consideration of the social dilemma she faced. The truly resourceful are never long at a loss. "You get in here, Daddy," she urged, "you can hold me on your lap and we will run over to the Orphans' Home. We can leave the children there and go straight home." "The idea!" snapped Obadiah, "I won't be made more ridiculous than I have been, today. You must learn to give thought to others, Virginia." Instantly, her happiness faded before his words. "I am so sorry. I forgot how time was passing and I didn't mean to get in this big crowd. How will you get home? What can I do for you, Daddy?"