"You said relatives were afflictions," objected Billy.
"I know; but it is only through our afflictions that we can rise to higher things."
"What higher things?"
"Why, Heaven, as I described it last."
They found the general with Henrietta and Bartlett in the garage. The general was kindly superintending the filling of the absent Batchelor's car with gasolene, Bartlett was expounding the merits of his make of car as superior to any other make, while Henrietta sat on the step of the general's car and pretended to be listening.
"I took the liberty," apologized the general, as the other two appeared in the doorway, feeling, on the contrary, that he was doing the young man an inestimable favor.
"Go ahead," said the Watermelon.
"Draw the line somewhere," advised Henrietta. "Father is too fond of trying to see what makes the wheels go round to give him carte blanche with any car."
"I understand a car thoroughly, Henrietta," said the general. "I have always been fond of mechanics."
"I know it, dear," said Henrietta with contrition. "I have always said that if you hadn't been a general, you would have been a master mechanic."