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"And are you so contented with the dead level? I fancied you were going

to be ambitious."

She turned her head and looked out through the narrow mullioned window

beside her as though to avoid his eyes, but she answered quietly: "If I have any ambitions, they are not very imposing. Let's talk about

yours; or rather let's not talk about yours here. There are too many

people and too much Swami. We are out at the lake, at the old summer

home. Run out and dine with us to-morrow. Father is almost as anxious to

see you as I am. You know you are his chief consolation for the fact

that I am not a boy."

"Thanks. May I bring Norris? Not that I'm afraid of the dark by myself,

but that I really want you to know him."

"Bring him of course, Dick," she said without enthusiasm.

"And now do you suppose I can get you a cup of coffee or a sherbet?"

"Hush, I don't know whether anything so vivid is possible. I believe,

out of deference to Ram Juna, the refreshments are light almost to

Nirvana. You can't insult a man who lives on a few grains of rice by

making him watch the herd gorge on salads and ices, can you?"

"And do you really believe that great mountain of flesh was built out of

little grains of rice?"

"Mrs. Appleton--you remember her?"

"She has pounced on me already. She remembers that I waltz like a

dream."

"Dick," said Miss Elton scornfully, "don't make the mistake of

considering yourself a plum. Mrs. Appleton told me that the Swami feeds

on dew and flaming nebulae."

"Humph!" said Dick, "I think he's a big bronze fraud."

"Oh, come, men may be great without playing foot-ball," she laughed.

"Well, he's not for me. I can believe in almost any kind of a prophet

except one that works miracles."

"Who knows? The Swami may be the molder of your destiny," said Madeline

gaily, with youth's lightness in referring to the vague future.

"He may; but I'd lay long odds against it."

"I must be going." Miss Elton rose. "The crowd is thinning, and Mrs.

Lenox looks impressively in my direction. We are going out together on

the train. Their new country place is near us, you know. And you,

ungrateful one, I suspect, have not even spoken to Mr. Early yet. Go and

'make your manners,' like a good boy. I'll expect you to-morrow

afternoon. Mr. Norris, Dick has promised to bring you with him to dinner

to-morrow. Till then, good-by."