During the months which followed, Anabelle had made a number of visits, and thus the summer and fall had passed until her memory in Rollo’s mind had become vague and indistinct, though still very pleasant.
In the meantime, however, Rollo was becoming more and more versed in the accomplishments which are expected of a city boy. This was due very largely to the kindness of his Uncle George who frequently took his little nephew with him to the theatre, to his club, and to a number of evening festivals where there was dancing, charades, and all manner of fun.
At the time this chapter of our story opens, Rollo was seated before the cheerful gas-log at home instructing Jonas as to the proper method of making a martini. This was indeed a change from the old days in the country when Jonas used to teach Rollo how to pile wood and pick up potatoes. The positions were now reversed. Rollo was the teacher and Jonas was the pupil.
“You see, Jonas,” said Rollo, “you must be very careful to put in at least two-thirds of gin to one-third of vermouth.”
“What is vermouth?” asked Jonas.
“Vermouth is a sweet cordial similar to cherry-bounce,” said Rollo. “But now, Jonas, we will have the review lesson. What is a manhattan?”
“A manhattan,” replied Jonas, “is a liquid composed of two-thirds of extract of rye, one-third——”
At this moment Rollo’s sister, Lucy, came running into the room.
“Oh, bother!” cried Rollo. “Why do you interrupt Jonas and me at our work?”