"Ima fow guh," murmured the General, thrusting out a fat and unexpected hand and snatching from a hitherto unperceived box a tiny cake encased in green frosting. "Oh, dear, it's got the pistache!" said the yellow-haired lady disgustedly. Miss Honey fled after the General, who, though he was obliged to wear whalebone braces in his shoes on account of youth and a waddling and undeveloped gait, scattered over the ground with the elusive clumsiness of a young duckling. Brother blushed, but scorned to desert his troop. "He's awfully little, you know--he doesn't mean to steal," he explained. "Twenty-two months," Caroline added, "and he does go so fast." She smiled doubtfully at the lady, who selected a cake covered with chocolate and looked at the young man. "Don't forget that Mr. Walbridge wants to use the car at six," she said, "and you have to allow for that bad hill." He looked a little uncomfortable. "Don't you want to speak to the children, Tina, dear?" he asked, dropping his voice; he sat very close to her. "They have both spoken directly to you, you see, and children feel that so--not being noticed. They're trying to apologize to you for the cake." She bit her lip and turned to Miss Honey, who arrived panting, with the General firmly secured by the band of his overalls. An oozy green paste dripped from his hand; one of the pink wings intermittently concealed his injured expression. "That's all right," she said, "don't bother about the cake, little girl, the baby can have it." Miss Honey sniffed. "I guess you don't know much about babies if you think they can eat cake like that," she answered informingly. "Hush, now, General, don't begin to hold your breath? Do you want a nice graham cracker! It's _so_ nice!" "_So_ nice!" Caroline repeated mechanically, with a business-like smile at the General, helpfully champing her teeth. The General wavered. He allowed one sticky paw to be cleaned with a handful of grass, but his expression was most undecided, and he was evidently in a position to hold his breath immediately if necessary. Miss Honey nodded to Caroline. "You've got 'em, haven't you?" she asked. Caroline fumbled at the interior of the nightgown and produced a somewhat defaced brown wafer. "General want it?" she said invitingly. There was another moment of disheartening suspense. Brother assisted gallantly. "They're fine, General!" he urged, "try one!" And he, too, nodded and chewed the empty air. Instinctively the strange young gentleman did the same. The General looked around at them cautiously, noted the strained interest of the circle, smiled forgivingly, and reached out for the brown wafer. Peace was assured. "If you could only see how ridiculous you looked," the young lady remarked, wiping her shining pink finger nails carefully, "you'd never do that again, Rob. Have a cake?" He laughed, but blushed a little at her tone.