AIKENSIDE



her P's and Q's before you give her a stifficut.
We've had enough of your ignoramuses," said
Colonel Lewis, the democratic potentate to whom
Dr. Holbrook was expressing his fears that he
should not give satisfaction. Then, as a bright
idea suggested itself to the old gentleman, he
added: " I tell you what, just cut one or two at
first; that '11 give you a name for being particular,
which is just the thing."
  Accordingly, with no definite idea as to what
was expected of him, except that he was to find
out " whether a girl knew her P's and Q's," and
was also to " cut one or two of the first candi-
dates," Dr. Holbrook accepted the office, and then
awaited rather nervously his initiation. He was
not easy in the society of ladies, unless, indeed,
the lady stood in need of his professional services,
when he lost sight of her at once, and thought
only of her disease. His patient once well, how-
ever, he became nervously shy and embarrassed,
retreating as soon as possible from her presence
to the covert of his friendly office, where, with
his boots upon the table and his head thrown back
in a most comfortable position, he sat one April
morning, in happy oblivion of the bevy of girls
who must, of course, erelong invade his sanctum.
  " Something for you, sir. The lady will wait
for an answer," said his " chore boy," passing to
his master a little three-cornered note, and nod-
ding toward the street.



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