“True. Dress makes a great change.”

“Besides, I pass under a different name.”

“Yes. Let me see, what is your real name?”

“Ben Bruce.”

“Oh, yes! And you say your mother lives in the country?”

“Yes, in a small New Hampshire town.”

Mrs. Harcourt seemed pleased to hear this.

“Perhaps you would like to hear my plans,” she said after a pause.

“Yes, mother.”

“I expect to winter in Paris. And, by the way, Edwin, I suppose you know nothing of the French language.”