“Yes, you do,” said Honora, firmly. “You dress on the principle of the wild beasts and fishes. It's all in our natural history at Miss Farmer's. The crab is the colour of the seaweed, and the deer of the thicket. It's a device of nature for the protection of weak things.”
Peter drew himself up proudly.
“I have always understood, Miss Leffingwell, that the king of beasts was somewhere near the shade of the jungle.”
Honora laughed in spite of this apparent refutation of her theory of his apparel, and shook her head.
“Do be serious, Peter. You'd make much more of an impression on people if you wore clothes that had—well, a little more distinction.”
“What's the use of making an impression if you can't follow it up?” he said.
“You can,” she declared. “I never thought of it until to-night, but you must have a great deal in you to have risen all the way from an errand boy in the bank to a lawyer.”
“Look out!” he cautioned her; “I shall become insupportably conceited.”
“A little more conceit wouldn't hurt you,” said Honora, critically. “You'll forgive me, Peter, if I tell you from time to time what I think. It's for your own good.”
“I try to realize that,” replied Peter, humbly. “How do you wish me to dress—like Mr. Rossiter?”