ON A SANDBANK
MRS. DE CRESSIERS' political dinners were a great success. When Sidney was returning home again, that lady said to her:
"I wish you were my daughter. You are such a help to me when I am entertaining."
"Or daughter-in-law, mother," put in Austin. He was driving Sidney back in his high dogcart, and could not resist adding to his mother's words.
Sidney laughed.
"I will come whenever you want me, Cousin Clarice."
Then, as they drove away, she reproved Austin for his levity:
"Your mother looked quite shocked."
"Oh, no," Austin said calmly. "I often tell her if I had come into the world a little sooner, I might have had a chance with you. As it is, you scorn me and call me a mere boy."
"And so you are, and ever will be in my eyes; so don't you try to be different."