New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-27

Il
Of ccntralizing attention. The usually VIOLA
tile Countess became subducd and repreSSed
in her presence: the big son and the little
one were respectfully quieScent: | confess
% a certain embarrassment myself.
She was a handsome woman, with a young
figure. a good complexion, clear eyes, way
brown hair, and rich, low voice. perfectly
modulated. No doubt she was nearing nifty
but thirtv-fve would have been your guess
provided YOU were bachelor.
| endeavored TO set her mind at rest by
politely reminding her that | couldn't have
slept in the bed anyway, having been ou'
all night. and she smilingly assured me that
it was a relief TO find a literary man whc
wasn't forever saving fiat and stupid things
took them over the castle: that IS, part
Of the castle Mrs Titus wouldn't climb
stairs. She confessed 70 banting: but drew
the line a. ANYTHING more exhausting. | teai
! was too palpably relieved when she de
clined 90 90 higher than the second story.
at isn't necessary. Nh Smart, she sad
swec,ly. "to 60 into the history OF the
wrctchci Rothhocfens rs a Cooks inter
prefer might do. You see. | know the castle
quite well. and have had all the late new.
from my daughter.
~Of course, | agreed Stupid OF me not
% remember that YOU are descended from
Mother isn't hall so stuck up about II 4,
YOU might think, Mr.. Smart, interrupted
Jasper. IT,, glibly. "She prefers 70 let PEG
pie think her ancestors were Dutch instead
of merely German. Dutch ancestors are IN,
proper thing in New York.
MY ancestors were Dutch, said quick
~ "rhey came over with the original Skin
graftcrs."
She looked puzzled for a moment. Tn,
Countess laughed. Then Jasper saw tn,
point Colingraft was the last 10 see It, ans
then il was too late for him TO smile.
We had tea in the loggia and dineC
with the family in the Countess apartment
at eight that night. think Mrs. Titus wa
rather favorably impressed when she behel,
me in my own raiment
EVERYTHING went very well that evening
We were all in fine humor. and the dinner
was an excellent one. | perpetrated only one
unhappy blundcr. asked Mrs. Titus ii sh,
knew the cy-Werkheimers and the Rocks
worthS in New York.
"Visually, She said succinctly, and mad,
haste to change the subject.
The Countess looked amused. and Colin
graft said something about its being more
than likely that we did not have any mutual
acquaintances in New York. His sister
came 10 my rescue with an amusing anC
exaggerated account of my experience witt
the Riley-Werkheimers and RockSworthS
Jasper was enthusiastic. Something told
me that was going to like him.
MY real trouble began the next day. and
i'A at the rather unsecmly hour of eight
o'clock in the morning Colingraft came
down the hall in a bathgown and slippers
banged on my bedroom door. and wanted
To know why the blazcS he couldn't have hot
water for his bath. He was too full bloodec
and all that sort OF thing he said. TO take {
cold plunge. Moreover. he wasn't used tC
taking his tub in a tin cup That was hi,
sarcastic way of referring 10 my portable
handy bathtub. | asked him why he didn'r
ring for Britton, and he said he had, but that
Brtton was assisting Jasper in wild chase
for a bat that had got into the lads room
during the night.
THANK your lucky stars it didn't get int
Mothers room" he said surlily.
He made such row about his tub that
had to give him the pail OF hot water Brittor
had placed in my bedroom, preparatory tC
my own bath.
At breakfast Jasper complained about the