A RETURN 239 



and looked forward with anticipation to a new 

 sister. Indeed, after a few days I found myself 

 wondering if I had not been a bit hasty. Perhaps 

 after all she might not be so bad. Suppose she 

 was young and pretty and dutiful ? It would n't 

 be at all bad. Suppose, after a time, a grand- 

 daughter or grandson arrived ? Well, I always 

 had loved my babies, and I guess I would make 

 a pretty good grandpa after all, and Dick could 

 have the large east front room for a sitting-room, 

 and the small bedroom adjoining. I had prac- 

 tised law long enough to know the folly of antici- 

 pating a judgment. I w r as an ass, a venerable 

 long-eared ass. I would venture to bet she was 

 young and pretty. Dick was no fool. He may 

 have been a bit imprudent, but who wanted an 

 icicle for a son ? I would n't give a cent for a boy 

 who would n't be carried off his feet provided the 

 right girl came along. I was wrong, I had been 

 an ass. I guess it would be a good idea to paint 

 and paper those rooms, and to get a new rug for 

 the floor and a chiffonier with long, wide drawers. 

 Women liked them, and I guess Dick's wife 

 should have them if she wanted them. The best 

 was none too good for Dick, and Dick's wife was 

 going to be treated about as well as he. I saw a 

 handsome fur rug that would n't look at all badly 

 in front of their fireplace. Perhaps she had bet- 

 ter choose these things. Yes, there was no doubt 



