Watts laughed at him always.

Laughed still more when one of these calls resulted in a note, "requesting the pleasure" of Mr.Peter Stirling's company to dinner.

It was Watts who dictated the acceptance, helped Peter put the finishing touches to his toilet, and eventually landed him safely in Mrs.Purdie's parlor.

His description to the boys that night of what followed is worthy of quotation: "The old fellow shook hands with Mrs.P., O.K.Something was said about the weather, and then Mrs.P.said, 'I'll introduce you to the lady you are to take down, Mr.Stirling, but I shan't let you talk to her before dinner.

Look about you and take your choice of whom you would like to meet ?' Chum gave one agonized look round the room.