on the roller towel which hung on the pantry door. He was ready for dinner.
Helen was not down yet. Nellie was holding dinner for her arrival. Hubert strolled into the living-room. His son was still deep in the magazine, having now actually found something of genuine interest.
"Well, my boy—" said Hubert, pleasantly, "how did you spend the day?"
"Not very strenuously," returned his boy, still reading.
"Well, I had a very strenuous day. I sold my business today!"
"Yeh?" asked young Hubert, turning a page and instantly fastening his eyes on the new column of print.
"Yes, I sold my business. I'm through. From now on I'm a gentleman of leisure."
As he spoke Helen came down the stairs, and passing him, flung open the doors between the living- and dining-room.
"Dinner is on the table," she said.
Her husband and son followed her. They took their places at the table, and Hubert, tucking his napkin beneath his chin, demanded, "Did you hear that, Helen? I sold my business."
"I heard several days ago that you were going to," she said.
"Who told you?"
"You did."
"I beg your pardon. I haven't mentioned a thing about it."
"Oh, don't let's argue. From seven until ten one
