With his eyes--it became clear even in that early moment that his eyes were insurgents--he said: "I don't take any stock in that long white beard!" Then, as if fearing his eyes had overstepped: "Perhaps you have visions of the future.

A long white beard is a gift the years may bring me." "You can just ask him anything you want to, Aunt Kate," Worth was brightly assuring her.

"I told him you wanted to know about the under life--the under what it is of life.

You needn't be 'fraid of him, Aunt Kate; you know he's the man's so sorry for you.

He knows all about everything, and will tell you just everything he knows." "Quite a sweeping commendation," Katie found herself murmuring foolishly--and in the imaginary conversations she had talked so brilliantly! But when one could not be brilliant one could always find cover under dignity.