"But, Trixy," replied the Admiral, "I question the propriety of hearing other peoples' family affairs." "Oh, I don't write no family affairs. This is only a letter to papa." "Your logic, my dear, is as faultless as your grammar. Still, I'll be your clerk for a few moments." "All right; I'm very much obliged. First, though, you'd better begin and read what's already wrote, 'cause it's so long since mamma began this letter for me that I can't remember what I told her to say." "H'm--let me see," said the Admiral, adjusting his glasses. "'Dear Old Papa'----" "Go on." The Admiral, who, like most men of affairs, had acquired a way of reading a page at a glance, suddenly looked at Trixy in astonishment. Then he re-read the letter, and said, with a twinkle of his eyes: "Aren't you rather young to take so much interest in match-making?" "What's match-makin'?" asked the child, with wondering eyes. "Oh, you seem to understand the subject very well. The idea of a child planning a marriage between a man and a woman--quite suited to each other though they certainly are--who never met until this week!" "Who do you mean? Aunt Fee and Harry? Why, they've----" "No, no--I don't mean them. This is another couple--a lady and an army officer." "Oh, you mean Mr. Jermyn and Miss Trewman? Why, I don' remember tellin' mamma to write anythin' about them. Come to think of it, though, I said to her, over at guard mount the other day, that 'twould be nice if they got married; but she said 'Sh--h--,' and that means the same thing as don't when mamma says it." "Yes--to be sure; it used to be so in our family, when I was a boy. But how did this subject get into the letter, if you didn't tell your mother to write it?" "I'm sure I don't know, unless mamma put it in just for fun. Sometimes she helps me with things to say, when I want to write a real long letter." "H'm!" The Admiral looked very alert as he recalled customs of his own family when he was a young father. "Trixy, would you mind telling me your father's name--his first name?" "It's Philip." "Ah, yes. And is that what your mother usually calls him?" "Goodness, no! When she says 'Philip,' papa pretends to be awfully scared. Sometimes she calls him Phil, but usually she says 'papa.'" "Just as I supposed." The Admiral was silent and grave so long that the child timidly asked: "You don't think it's improper for her to do it, do you?" "Improper? No, indeed! I'd give half my pay--yes, all of it--to hear my wife call me 'papa' again." Tears came into the veteran's eyes, and Trixy, following home custom regarding such matters, kissed them away, which operation made the Admiral's face as cheery as a sunburst. Nevertheless, the old man did some more thinking, and finally he said: