“Practically new. I’ve had it about a month, but this is the first time I’ve worn it.” “Well, it is vastly becoming, and your shirt and tie harmonize beautifully.” “Maybe Dad has a date,” Howard interposed mischievously. “Howard, flippancy is distasteful to me,” Marjorie again looked up from her letter to reprove coldly. “Why all this discussion?” Hugh demanded. “I happen to wear a new suit, a thing I have done innumerable times without causing the slightest comment, and for some unknown reason the family proceed to hold a conference terminating in a general wrangle.” “I’m sure I meant it all right, Dad. I don’t see why Howard had to interfere—I wish he’d mind his own business,” Elinor remarked peevishly. “Oh, is that so?” Howard returned. “You think you’re mighty clever, don’t you? I’ve as much right to speak as you have, and I’ll tell you one——” “Children—children!” Marjorie intervened. “Well this a _pleasant_ little party,” Hugh exploded, throwing down his paper in disgust. “If I had dreamt that things were going to be so agreeable, I’d have had my breakfast in town. You must have all stepped out on the wrong side of the bed. It evidently doesn’t agree with you to rise so early. Anyway, what happens to be the occasion?” “I’m anxious to get into town to order my roadster,” Howard replied. “Will you give me a lift, as far as the Circle, Dad?” Hugh nodded absent-mindedly. “And you, Elinor?” he asked. “Oh, I have an early appointment—one of the girls I knew at Miss Grayson’s is visiting some friends in New York, and I am going to spend the day with her.” “Who is she?” Marjorie inquired, coldly concerned. She had not yet accustomed herself to Elinor’s doing as she pleased without consulting her. “You don’t know her, mother, so there wouldn’t be any use in my telling you.” Elinor tossed her head defiantly. “Just the same,” Marjorie began, “I want to know.” Hugh arose hastily. “Come on, Howard, if you want to ride into town with me,” he called. It was plain he was anxious to escape from listening to one of Marjorie’s catechisms. “Righto, Dad,” answered the boy. “Try to improve your disposition, Sis,” he called back over his shoulder. “I’m going to get a swell roadster, and you may want to ride with me.” “Howard,” Hugh began, as soon as they were seated in the car, and headed for town, “how is it that you and Elinor can’t be together half an hour without quarreling?” “Oh, I don’t know,” Howard sulked. “She always starts things.” “You should remember that she is a woman, and women are nearly always difficult enigmas,” Hugh sighed rather deeply. “You must be right, Dad,” Howard’s voice was full of sympathy. “I know you’re speaking from experience.” “What do you mean by that?” To which Howard replied, innocently enough: “Why Elinor and I were discussing you the other evening, and we agreed that you must have a pretty tough time of it, trying to hit it off with mother.”