"Pick up that banjo-case again and come on," commanded Mr. Bantry, tartly. "Where's the mater?"
Joe stared at him. "Where's what?"
"The mater!" was the frowning reply.
"Oh yes, I know!" said Joe, looking at his step-brother curiously. "I've seen it in stories. She's up-stairs. You'll be a surprise. You're wearing lots of clothes, 'Gene."
"I suppose it will seem so to Canaan," returned the other, weariedly. "Governor feeling fit?"
"I never saw him," Joe replied; then caught himself. "Oh, I see what you mean! Yes, he's all right."
They had come into the hall, and Eugene was removing the long coat, while his step-brother looked at him thoughtfully.
"'Gene," asked the latter, in a softened voice, "have you seen Mamie Pike yet?"
"You will find, my young friend," responded Mr. Bantry, "if you ever go about much outside of Canaan, that ladies' names are not supposed to be mentioned indiscriminately."
"It's only," said Joe, "that I wanted to say that there's a dance at their house to-night. I suppose you'll be going?"