Page:Josephine Daskam--Sister's vocation.djvu/289

 yet it Wets solid and real—as real as the little boys that trotted soberly beside her.

How Joseph and her father would enjoy it! It was a play after their own hearts.

And something of the fascination of it actually became apparent to Aunt Lucia when she knew about it.

"Old Mr. Damon is what is called a perfectly respectable man," she said, "though utterly given over to his own pleasures and regardless of the responsibilities of men of wealth. If it pleases him to waste his time in this way, and you feel that your father would not object, I certainly will make no public protest. What I may feel is another matter."

Uncle William smiled uncertainly. "I guess we're not all alike, Lucia," he ventured. "I think Cynthy looks better in the face and fatter. What's one man's meat, you know"

"It was the flesh-pots made her fat!" said Waldy, solemnly. "I saw her eat 'em!"

And they all laughed together—even Mrs. Lucia Harriet Dilts.