CHAPTER XII.
Whatever the function--whether it was a cosey dinner for the congenial few, a crowded reception for the uncongenial many, or a coming-out party for some one of the eager-expectant buds just bursting into bloom--most of whom he had known from babyhood--Peter was always ready with his "Of course I'll come--" or "Nothing would delight me more--" or the formal "Mr.Grayson accepts with great pleasure," etc., unless the event should fall upon a Saturday night; then there was certain to be a prompt refusal.
Even Miss Felicia recognized this unbreakable engagement and made her plans accordingly.

So did good Mrs.McGuffey, who selected this night for her own social outings; and so did most of his intimate friends who were familiar with his habits.
On any other night you might, or you might not, find Peter at home, dependent upon his various engagements, but if you really wanted to get hold of his hand, or his ear, or the whole or any other part of his delightful body, and if by any mischance you happened to select a Saturday night for your purpose, you must search for him at the Century.
To spend this one evening at his favorite club had been his custom for years--ever since he had been elected to full membership--a date so far back in the dim past that the oldest habitue had to search the records to make sure of the year, and this custom he still regularly kept up.
That the quaint old club-house was but a stone's throw from his own quarters in Fifteenth Street made no difference; he would willingly have tramped to Murray Hill and beyond--even as far as the big reservoir, had the younger and more progressive element among the members picked the institution up bodily and moved it that far--as later on they did.
Not that he favored any such innovation: "Move up-town! Why, my dear sir!" he protested, when the subject was first mentioned, "is there nothing in the polish of these old tables and chairs, rubbed bright by the elbows of countless good fellows, that appeals to you?
Do you think any modern varnish can replace it?
Here I have sat for thirty years or more, and--please God!--here I want to continue to sit." He was at his own small table in the front room overlooking the street when he spoke--his by right of long use, as it was also of Morris, MacFarlane, Wright, old Partridge the painter, and Knight the sculptor.
For years this group of Centurions, after circling the rooms on meeting nights, criticising the pictures and helping themselves to the punch, had dropped into these same seats by the side of Peter.
And these were not the only chairs tacitly recognized as carrying special privileges by reason of long usage.

Over in the corner between the two rooms could be found Bayard Taylor's chair--his for years, from which he dispensed wisdom, adventure and raillery to a listening coterie--King, MacDonough and Collins among them, while near the stairs, his great shaggy head glistening in the overhead light, Parke Godwin held court, with Sterling, Martin and Porter, to say nothing of still older habitues who in the years of their membership were as much a part of the fittings of the club as the smoke-begrimed portraits which lined its walls.
On this Saturday night he had stepped into the clubhouse with more than his usual briskness.

Sweeping a comprehensive glance around as he entered, as if looking for some one in the hall, he slipped off his overcoat and hat and handed both to the negro servant in charge of the cloak-room.
"George." "Yes, Mr.Grayson." "If anybody inquires for me you will find me either on this floor or in the library above.

Don't forget, and don't make any mistake.
"No, suh--ain't goin' to be no mistake." This done, the old gentleman moved to the mirror, and gave a sidelong glance at his perfectly appointed person--he had been dining at the Portmans', had left the table early, and was in full evening dress.
The inspection proved that the points of his collar wanted straightening the thousandth part of an inch, and that his sparse gray locks needed combing a wee bit further toward his cheek bones.