it more polite to decline, but now the Senator had completed his researches and he reiterated his invitation. Very uncomfortably they yielded and took chairs. 

 “Is this your daughter?” he continued, with a smile at Jennie. 

 “Yes, sir,” said the mother; “she’s my oldest girl.” 

 “Is your husband alive?” 

 “What is his name?” 

 “Where does he live?” 

 To all of these questions Mrs. Gerhardt very humbly answered. 

 “How many children have you?” he went on. 

 “Six,” said Mrs. Gerhardt. 

 “Well,” he returned, “that’s quite a family. You’ve certainly done your duty to the nation.” 

 “Yes, sir,” returned Mrs. Gerhardt, who was touched by his genial and interesting manner. 

 “And you say this is your oldest daughter?” 

 “Yes, sir.” 

 “What does your husband do?” 

 “He’s a glass-blower. But he’s sick now.” 

 During the colloquy Jennie’s large blue eyes were wide with interest. Whenever he looked at her she turned upon him such a frank, unsophisticated gaze, and smiled in such a vague, sweet way, that he could not keep his eyes off of her for more than a minute of the time. 

 “Well,” he continued, sympathetically, “that is too bad! I have some washing here not very much but you are welcome to it. Next week there may be more.” 

 He went about now, stuffing articles of apparel into a blue cotton bag with a pretty design on the side. 

 “Do you want these 

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