If my mother were in New York I would ask if she might call on Miss Middleton, but, as it happens, she's in California, where I intend to join her, so I shall look forward to seeing you there." Then Dad did just the right thing.

"What's the use of waiting till we get to California ?" he said.

"Why not dine with us to-night!" There are people, merely conventional people, who could never appreciate the fine directness and simplicity, of Dad's nature--not if they lived to be a thousand years old.

But Mr.Blakely Porter understood perfectly; I know he did, for he told me so afterwards.
"It was the greatest compliment I ever had paid me in my life," he said.

"Your father knew nothing about me, absolutely nothing, yet he invited me to dine with him--and you.