"Then you haven't heard. We arrived this morning."

"Really? From where?"

"Louisiana. We've been having an addition to the family; but it's a grown-up one. Mamma has another daughter."

"You don't mean it?"

"Yes, truly. What do you think of it?"

"How can I tell until I have seen her? You didn't take me for a clairvoyant, did you? But really, for selfish reasons, I'm awfully sorry. It will spoil the number and break up all our sport."

"Not much!" exclaimed Jessica, with conviction. "Rather than that I should send her back to the savages that she came from. Did you bring Olney Winthrop back with you?"

"Yes, poor old chap. He had rather a narrow shave with a panther, and then was almost carried off with jungle fever. He will certainly not remind you of the flesh-pots of Egypt when you see him. He is all broken up, and insists that there is nothing that will restore him like a little game. I have come to ask if you will have us this evening?"

"Well, rather!" exclaimed Jessica.

"My dear," said Mrs. Chalmers, dubiously, "do you think you had better—so soon?"