When he flourished to an impressive halt under the Whipple porte-cochere she felt a new respect for him.

If only he could do such things at odd moments as a gentleman should, and not continuously for money, in clothes unlike those of the expensive advertisements! She descended from the car in a flutter of pretense that she habitually descended from cars, and a moment later was overjoyed to note that her escort sustained the greetings of the assembled Whipples and their guests with a practiced coolness, or what looked like it.

He shook hands warmly with his brother and Patricia Whipple; was calm under the ordeal of introductions to the little friends Winona had warned him of--two girls of peerless beauty and a fair-haired, sleepy-looking boy with long eyelashes and dimples.
[Illustration: "THE GIRL WAS ALREADY READING WILBUR'S PALM, DISCLOSING TO HIM THAT HE HAD A DEEP VEIN OF CRUELTY IN HIS NATURE.

PATRICIA WHIPPLE LISTENED IMPATIENTLY TO THIS AND OTHER SINISTER REVELATIONS."] These young people were dressed rather less formally than Winona had expected, being mostly in flannels and ducks and tennis shoes not too lately cleaned.

She was instantly glad she had been particular as to Wilbur's outfit.