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222 After meeting Norry’s father and mother, Hug understood the boy better. Mrs. Parker was hot charming and pretty, a delightful woman who playe the piano with professional skill. Mr. Parker w£ an artist, a portrait-painter, and he got prices fc his pictures that staggered Hugh when Norry mei tioned them casually. He was a quiet, grave ma with gray eyes like his son’s.

When he had a minute alone with Hugh, he sai to him with simple sincerity: “You have been vei kind to Norry, and we are grateful. He is strange, poetic lad who needs the kind of unde standing friendship you have given him. Vs should have been deeply disappointed if you had n been able to visit us.”

The expressions of gratitude embarrassed Hug but they made him feel sure of his welcome; ar once he was sure of that he began to enjoy himse as he never had before. Before the month was or he had made many visits to New York and w; able to talk about both the Ritz and Macdougal ley with elaborate casualness when he returned college. He and Norry went swimming near every day and spent hours sailing on the Sound.

Norry introduced him to the many girls who h; summer homes near the Parker cottage. Th were a new type to him, boarding-school produci sure of themselves, “finished” with a high poli that glittered effectively, daringly frank both