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 ness, at the bestowal of the Mettens and which had become essential to him.

He tried to ignore it but he could not; and his daughter-in-law perfectly appreciated the point of vantage she had asserted.

"Mrs. Metten was just talking with me; I got out of her party to-night. But they have the same box for next week and the rest of the season. She asked us for next week," Lida related coolly, "and every week, for the opera and dinner. Shall I be nice to her?"

John had to hesitate before this girl, married to his son, who had come to him in the very contrary of contrition. He was entirely upset, having expected to dispose an advantage over her; instead, she held it over him and displayed it.

"Do you want to accept her invitation?" he asked.

"It's nothing to me," returned Lida. "But one can't slide out of a blanket invitation like that—and leave much behind to be picked up. What do you want me to do about her?"

"How did you leave the matter with Mrs. Metten?" John asked.

"I left it open," said Lida.

Jay interfered. He wanted her to win but not inflict too much humiliation. "That's your and my affair, Lida," he said, saving his father.

Soon Beedy announced dinner and the second-cousin dependents of the house, the Dills, appeared.

Before the table, set with five places, everyone but John delayed. He went to the head. Ann Dill's customary