The shadow of unhappiness veiled the face of dreams as the girl started at his words. "I am very thoughtless, I am afraid, Daddy," she answered. "I shall try to be more careful." And then in a whisper so low that he could not hear it, she continued, "It would make mother unhappy to know that I was that way." "You should overcome your faults, particularly your thoughtlessness in regard to others," he grumbled, and immediately changed the subject. "Do you know the name of the fellow who ran into you?" "No, Daddy." He considered a moment. "Don't you bother about it." He gave her a smile and the traces of her unhappiness faded before it. "I will have some one call up the hospital. I must take the matter up with Wilkins." "Honey, chil', ain' yo'all gwine res' you'se'f dis afternoon?" Serena demanded, as they arose from the table. "In a minute, Serena, I want to ask Daddy something." She hurried after him. There was almost a trace of embarrassment in her voice, as she asked, "Daddy, may I go to the hospital tomorrow and visit that man?" "What?" Obadiah was surprised. "Why on earth should you want to do that?" "I think I should. I told Ike to hurry, as I explained to you. If I hadn't done that the man would not have been hurt." She gave a woeful little sigh. "I helped to take him to the hospital and so I feel acquainted with him." A shrewd, calculating look swept over Obadiah's face. "That's a most informal introduction, I am thinking. However, it will do no harm to get on friendly terms with that fellow. I suppose that it will mean a suit, anyway, but I won't oppose your going." Virginia's face lighted with happiness and pride. "Daddy dear, you have the kindest and most thoughtful heart. You are always trying to do something nice," she laughed, softly. "You've made a mistake this time, and you will have to think of something else. The man in the hospital doesn't need clothes. I noticed that his were not hurt in the accident." "_Clothes_," cried Obadiah, much perplexed by the tribute to himself and the subsequent explanation. "Who said anything about clothes?" Suddenly, understanding came to him. "I'll swear--" promised the astounded manufacturer. Virginia quickly kissed him squarely upon the mouth. "No, you won't," she said, her eyes tender with love and pride, "you are much too good and generous and noble to do that." For an instant, Obadiah appeared about to contradict his daughter, but, changing his mind, he hurried out to his waiting car and pressed the button on the horn. At the signal, Ike appeared, coming hurriedly from the kitchen. As he advanced, he deposited in his mouth the remains of a slice of pie. Because of the unfortunate events of the morning, the procurement of this pastry partook of the nature of a diplomatic triumph. Ike had but little pride in this. His mind was upon weightier matters. As he approached his employer, he bolted the remnants in a manner conducive neither to his present dignity nor future health.