At this moment Mrs. Hart rose and bade good-by to Mrs. Berle; then called across to Mrs. Lehmyl, “Come, Ruth;” and the latter wished Arthur good afternoon.

He and Hetzel left soon after. Mrs. Berle said, “If you young gentlemen have no other engagement, won’t you take tea here a week from to-night?”

“You are very kind,” Hetzel answered; “and we shall do so with great pleasure.”

Upstairs, “Well, how did you like her?” inquired Arthur.

“Like whom? Mrs. Berle?”

“No—Mrs. Lehmyl, of course, stupid.”

“That’s a pretty question for you to ask; as though you’d given me a chance to find out. How did you like her?”

“Oh, she’s above the average.”

“Is that all? Then you were disappointed? She didn’t come up to your anticipations?”

“Oh, I don’t say that. Yes, she’s# a fine woman.”